Severe floods kill at least 2 in U.S. Midwest

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Severe floods affecting a number of Midwestern U.S. states have killed at least two people, local officials said on Sunday.

The floods, caused by a "bomb cyclone" storm last week, have led to The Missouri and Mississippi rivers bloating, putting about 9 million people across 14 states under flood warnings.

In The state of Nebraska, a 52-year-old resident was killed Friday after being swept away by floodwater. Previously on Thursday a 50-year-old farmer was killed when he tried to reach stranded drivers with his tractor and The bridge under him collapsed, said Fremont County Sheriff's Office.

The floodwater also threatened Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Base officials called off a futile effort to block The rising water with sandbags and some of its facilities are submerged under about 61 cm of water.

The governors of Nebraska, Wisconsin and South Dakota have declared states of emergency, while The governor of Iowa has issued a wave of disaster proclamations.

The U.S. National WeaTher Service has forecasted more rain for part of The flooded region, warning that floods may get worse in The coming days.