WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster in the US Tennessee state and the federal funds approved after flooding flooding over the weekend remaining at least 21 deaths, the White House said in a statement on Tuesday.
Tennessee was hit on Saturday by what was called a meteorological and flood experts, dumping 17 inches (38 centimeters) rain.
Rural roads, state highways, bridges and hundreds of washed houses and extensive power outages affect thousands of people.
This step makes federal funds available for affected people in Humphreys County, where rain on Saturday broke 24-hour rainfall record for Tennessee, said national weather service.
Help for residents included “grants for temporary housing and home improvement”, as well as “low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses”, the White House said.
Floods are natural phenomena, but climate change changes the pattern of earth rainfall, making some areas wetter and more drier.
Scientists say climate change intensifies the risk of heavy rain throughout the world, because the warm atmosphere has more water.
According to an international study published on Tuesday, climate change made a deadly flood that destroyed German and Belgian parts last month to nine times more likely.