At least 9 dead, including 8 in Kentucky, amid latest blast of US winter weather

At least nine people have died in the most recent round of harsh weather to pummel the US, including eight people in Kentucky who died as creeks rose from heavy rain and water covered roads.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on Sunday that hundreds of people stranded by flooding had to be rescued.

Beshear said many of the deaths, including a mother and seven-year-old child, were caused by cars getting stuck in high water.

“So folks, stay off the roads right now and stay alive,” he said. “This is the search and rescue phase, and I am very proud of all the Kentuckians that are out there responding, putting their lives on the line.”

Beshear said the storms have knocked out power to about 39,000 homes, but he warned that harsh winds in some areas could increase power cuts.

Much of the US beyond Kentucky faced another round of biting winter weather. The Northern Plains faced life-threatening cold, and tornado watches were issued for parts of Georgia and Florida.