Governor Andy beshear has declared a state of emergency,activating the National Guard and urging residents to seek higher ground.
Flash Flood Emergencies and Warnings
The National Weather Service has issued numerous flash flood emergencies and warnings for areas across the eastern United States. Residents are urged to monitor weather forecasts and heed evacuation orders if necessary.
“This is a hazardous and life-threatening situation,” said a spokesperson for the national Weather Service. “We urge everyone to take precautions and stay safe.”
Kentucky Floods: State of Emergency Declared as Waters rise
In Kentucky, the flooding has reached historic levels, with some areas receiving over a foot of rain in just a few hours.
Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency and activated the national Guard. He has also urged residents to seek higher ground and avoid driving through flooded areas.
“This is a very dangerous situation,” said Governor Beshear. “We are urging everyone to take precautions and stay safe.”
Rising Waters Inundate Kentucky
The rising waters have inundated homes and businesses,forcing residents to evacuate. Many roads have been closed, and some areas are entirely isolated.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before,” said one resident. “The water just kept rising and rising.”
Jackson Evacuations Amidst Overflowing Lake
In the city of Jackson, kentucky, the overflowing Lake Cumberland has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.
The lake has risen to record levels, and the dam is at risk of failing.Officials are urging residents to leave the area promptly.
Nursing Home Residents Relocated
Several nursing homes in Kentucky have been evacuated due to the flooding. Residents have been relocated to other facilities or to the homes of family members.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep our residents safe,” said one nursing home administrator. “We’re grateful for the help of our staff and volunteers.”
Flooding Impacts Multiple Counties
The flooding has impacted multiple counties in Kentucky,including Breathitt,Clay,Floyd,knott,Leslie,Letcher,Magoffin,Martin,Owsley,Perry,Pike,and Whitley.
Officials are urging residents in these counties to be prepared for evacuations and to avoid driving through flooded areas.
Resident Fears Losing everything Again
For many residents, the flooding has brought back memories of the devastating floods that hit Kentucky two years ago.
“I lost everything in the last flood,” said one resident. “I’m afraid it’s going to happen again.”
Officials are urging residents to take precautions and to be prepared for the worst.
Kentucky Floods: State of Emergency Declared as Waters Rise
Kentucky is facing severe flooding, prompting Governor Andy Beshear to declare a state of emergency in 10 counties and a state of preparedness in all 55 counties on Saturday. The National Guard has been deployed to assist with recovery efforts.
Rising Waters inundate Kentucky
By Saturday afternoon, Kentucky streets were transformed into rivers, with cars submerged and homes inundated. “Frist responders have completed nearly 30 water rescues today and counting,” said the Louisville metro Police Department in a Facebook post late saturday.
Flash Flood Emergencies and Warnings
Parts of west Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee are under flash flood emergencies and warnings through Sunday morning. Flood watches in some areas will continue into Monday.
Severe flooding Threat for Northwestern Tennessee and Western Kentucky
over 1.5 million people in northwestern Tennessee and western Kentucky are facing a rare and severe flooding threat,with a level 4-of-4 high risk of flooding rainfall in place. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) warns of ”life-threatening and significant flooding” in the affected areas.
Unusually High Risk
Such extreme weather events occur on less than 4% of days per year,but they account for a staggering 80% of flood-related damage and 40% of flood-related deaths,according to WPC research[[[[[[[[source].
atmospheric Setup and Rainfall Rates
The atmospheric conditions for this storm are highly unusual for mid-February, creating the potential for rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour in the heaviest storms.This could result in half a foot of precipitation in the high-risk area, were heavy rainfall is expected to persist for an extended period.
Exacerbated by Saturated Soils
The threat of flooding is further amplified by the recent storms that have saturated soils in the region.The ground’s inability to absorb the anticipated rainfall increases the likelihood of widespread flooding.
Jackson evacuations Amidst Overflowing Lake
In Jackson, Kentucky, “serious flooding” overflowed the 75-acre Panbowl Lake, forcing teams to evacuate the area and facilities, including a nursing home and hospital.
Nursing Home Residents Relocated
In Whitesburg, Kentucky, residents at the Letcher manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility were temporarily relocated to a local high school. “We will reach out to inform each family individually as we arrange transportation for their loved one,” the nursing home said in a Facebook post.
Flooding Impacts Multiple Counties
Floodwaters surged through the roadways in several cities throughout Simpson County, Kentucky. Dozens of flooded roads were closed in adair County, according to emergency management officials.
Resident Fears losing Everything Again
knott County resident Danny Laferty, who experienced severe flooding that destroyed his home in late 2022, expressed his anxiety about possibly losing everything again. “It was awful, terrible. I mean, we had mud six inches deep in here,” he said.
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