After days of unrelenting, intense storms that caused an unprecedented amount of rain and catastrophic floods that devastated communities around the state, Kentucky is in shock.
From Kansas to Pennsylvania, a broader weather system has dumped historically high levels of rainfall.
With more than 1,100 flash flood reports this year—a number usually not attained until June—the National Weather Service has issued an astounding 847 flood reports in 16 states in recent days.
The western half of Kentucky, however, has been especially severely affected; in Benton and Hickory, rainfall totals have topped 15 inches.
Three documented deaths—a boater in McCracken County, a lady in Nelson County, and a kid in Frankfort—are among the state’s catastrophic repercussions.
“We have seen rescue after rescue after rescue that have turned what could be a very deadly event into one where, sadly, we’ve lost two individuals,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stated. “It could have been so much worse.”
X user @Collins_Wx recorded footage of Winchester Fire Department firefighters performing search and rescue operations on Sunday in a flooded Frankfort street.
The iconic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort is encircled by floodwaters in this overhead photograph. The distillery was closed as of Sunday and will not be open to customers or staff.
“We will be closed through Thursday, April 10th at a minimum,” the distillery stated on social media. “As this is a rapidly unfolding situation, visits may be impacted beyond that time, and we will continue to provide updates as they are available. Due to the unprecedented and ongoing rain and flooding, we are not able to advise on the impact to our total distillery footprint.”
Curfews were implemented, evacuations were ordered, and infrastructure was affected
As the neighboring Kentucky River surged to almost record levels on Sunday, residents of Frankfort were placed under obligatory curfew.
According to officials, the river was at 48.14 feet on Monday morning, about 17 feet over flood level and just short of the record of 48.47 feet.
Layne Wilkerson, the mayor of Frankfort, declared a curfew that would last until Monday morning in all parts of the city affected by flooding.
“We understand that this curfew may cause inconvenience, but it is a necessary measure to ensure public safety, prevent looting and vandalism and will allow our first responders and recovery teams to operate efficiently,” Wilkerson stated.
Beshear stated that conservation efforts are essential, especially in Franklin County, where almost 100,000 people depend on a possibly overburdened water system, while water utility workers attempt to restore services.
Frankfort’s state office buildings were shuttered Monday, according to the governor, and a decision regarding their reopening is anticipated later today.
The manager of Canoe Kentucky, Kali Sanders, took this video, which she claims depicts significant water outside her Frankfort business.
Beshear emphasized the importance of public awareness and following safety protocols during a press conference on Monday, as the state continues to be affected by the unprecedented flooding incident.
“This event is not over until the waters have receded, until the areas that have flooded are fully dry, until we don’t have saturated ground that can create mudslides over roads and bridges,” the governor cautioned.
According to Beshear, heavy flooding in Western Kentucky has caused the majority of the about 540 state roads that have been closed. Since then, important roads have reopened, including Interstate 65 at mile marker 64 in LaRue County and the Western Kentucky Parkway in Ohio County.
The rising water has also prompted mandatory evacuations in Pendleton and Carroll counties.
Beshear issued a warning: “If you’re told to evacuate, evacuate. We’re not looking again at weeks here. We’re just looking at days, and we want everybody to be safe.”
Infrastructure has also been affected by the extreme weather that has pounded the state for almost a week.
The governor stated that over 3,000 people are under a boil water advisory and that over 1,100 individuals are currently without water supply.
Assisting the Displaced
More than 50 shelters are currently operational throughout the state as a result of the massive emergency response activities.
Additionally, hotels, temporary housing units, and state parks are hosting displaced residents. Support is coming from the American Red Cross and the United Way.
About 350 troops and airmen have also been called up by the Kentucky National Guard to carry out a variety of tasks, such as performing water rescues and using high-axle trucks to get to stranded people.
In order to maintain safety and security, the Kentucky State Police reported responding to almost 16,000 calls and are conducting additional patrols in the areas that have been evacuated.
Troopers have even been going door-to-door in regions that are susceptible.
This information has been sourced from Fox Weather.
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