The string of heavy rains and the floods caused by it have killed at least 13 people and made numerous damages in the central United States

Warnings for flood and flash flood were issued by the National Weather Service after rain showers poured in the region. The warnings were issued for the states from Texas to Pennsylvania. According to the service, the rain storm hit Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky the hardest. Approximately 30cm (12 inches) of rain were reported in some of those areas.

A massive flood was reported in Missouri and six died in it. Among them was a 19-year-old, who was swept two miles downstream in a flooded creek. Authorities estimated that approximately 300 houses and businesses were flooded by the Meramec River in Piedmont, Missouri.

"The current flooding conditions are causing great hardships on Missourians who are being evacuated from their homes, rescued from trapped vehicles, or are separated from their families," Missouri Governor Blunt said.

"I have directed all state resources to be available to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts in the affected areas."

The U.S. president declared the massive flood in Missouri a major disaster and ordered federal aid to help state and local recovery efforts in areas struck by the heavy rain storms. About 70 counties in Missouri suffered sever damages due to the flooding and are now eligible for federal funding. The city of St. Louis is in the same state.

Another five deaths were reported in Kentucky. The victims died in a road accident and an old woman reportedly drowned in her home. Two dead people were found in southern Illinois where a truck was swept by the flood.

The flood closed the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 for a few miles early Thursday in central Ohio's Licking County according to the State Highway Patrol said.

The U.S. 23’s northbound lanes were flooded at Interstate 270 so the commuters heading for Columbus from the south were detoured.

However, despite picking up 4.7 inches of rain on Wednesday, the Cincinnati area recovered quickly said Mike Mantel, director of the Service Dept. in Miami Township, east of Cincinnati.

"We're in really good shape, considering the rainfall we had," Mantel said.