Rising rivers threaten US South and Midwest after days-long torrent of rain

Search and rescue firefighters conduct wellness checks in a neighbourhood on Sunday in Frankfort. Picture: Jon Cherry/AP

Rivers rose and flooding worsened on Sunday across the sodden US South and Midwest, threatening communities already badly damaged by days of heavy rain and wind that killed at least 18 people.

From Texas to Ohio, utilities scrambled to shut off power and gas, while cities closed roads and deployed sandbags to protect homes and businesses.