Two dead in heavy rain from Tropical Storm Bill, flooding expected across central U.S.

TULSA, Okla., June 19 (UPI) -- At least two people are dead after the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill continues to inch across the nation's midsection, causing historic flooding and damages.

Forecasters say the storm is moving across the country. As of 4 a.m. Friday, it was located about 60 miles east of Fayetteville, Ark. and is moving northeast about 10 miles per hour. The National Weather Service issued flood and flash flood warnings for part of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, where the governor declared a state of emergency.

"With more heavy rain in the forecast, we will continue to remain in direct contact with law enforcement and local officials as we work to protect lives and property," Gov. Jay Nixon said in a written statement.

5am-#Bill continues to move north across eastern Oklahoma, will bring heavy rain to Arkansas the next 48 hours. #ARWX pic.twitter.com/Mo2gSS0muN

— NWS Little Rock (@NWSLittleRock) June 18, 2015

At least one funnel cloud was spotted in Arkansas, but there is no evidence it touched down. Another three to five inches of rain is expected through Friday in the state. Some of the hardest hit areas remain in Oklahoma, where farmlands, barns and homes were flooded. Rockslides forced the closure of I-35 through the Arbuckle Mountains in Murray County, Okla.

The storm is also being blamed for the death of an Oklahoma 80-year-old woman who apparently ignored barricades to drive through floodwaters and a Texas 2-year-old who was swept out of his father's arms as they tried to avoid the rising waters.

By Sunday, the storm is predicted to dump rain on parts of Connecticut.

Ongoing river flooding in the south-central U.S. and the potential for more further north. #floodsafety pic.twitter.com/LhtM0w7sQg

— NWS Southern Region (@NWS_Southern_US) June 18, 2015