As sun shines bright, Louisville and other Kentucky communities wait for floods to recede
The rain is gone. The water isn't.
Louisville and much of Kentucky saw the sun for the first time in several days Monday, as storms that had rolled through the region throughout the weekend and last week have finally passed.
But those heavy rains left a swollen Ohio River in Louisville and varying degrees of flooding around much of the state, including hard-hit Frankfort. And as more stormwater rolls into the region from waterways to our east, the high water is likely here to stay for some time.
According to the National Water Prediction Service, the Ohio River is expected to crest at 37 feet at the upper portion of the McAlpine Locks and Dam near the Falls of the Ohio, similar to the water levels reached in the 2018 floods. The lower portion of the dam is expected to crest at 68.5 feet, which could pose threats to west and southwest Louisville, officials added.
Much of River Road was underwater by Sunday, including businesses around the historic Louisville Water Tower, where Louisville EMS said more than 60 people were evacuated Monday from a nearby Candlewood Suites Hotel, and further east toward Harrods Creek and Wolf Pen Branch.
Waters are expected to crest in the area Wednesday, forecasters have projected, with a likelihood it could be among the 10 highest floods in city history.
Jefferson County Public Schools and the University of Louisville each held classes online Monday. The annual Thunder Over Louisville air show and fireworks showcase, originally scheduled for this Saturday, was already canceled over the weekend as a precaution.
Other parts of the state, meanwhile, are dealing with issues of their own.
The Kentucky River in Frankfort appeared to have crested as of Monday morning, but Kentucky's capital city was rocked by the waters. Residents were asked to stay home and conserve water if possible as many local businesses were swamped, including the Buffalo Trace Distillery, which expects to remain closed until Thursday at the earliest.
Eyes in the region were also watching the Dix Dam closely. Ten of the spill gates on the dam between Mercer and Garrard counties were opened as part of a planned release Sunday, according to LG&E and KU, but a miscommunication between officials led Carrollton Mayor Robb Adams to warn residents the gates were accidentally opened and that communities along the Kentucky River should evacuate. He apologized Monday, citing "bad information."
On Monday afternoon, Kentucky State Police confirmed the body of Lee Chandler, 27, had been found in far west Kentucky, marking the third death of the flooding event, while minutes later Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed a fourth death in Trigg County.
Chandler was swept away while trying to retrieve his boat Sunday, police said at the time. Two other people, a 9-year-old boy in Frankfort and a 74-year-old woman in Boston, have died amid the floods, according to the governor and local officials.
The governor did not identify the 65-year-old Trigg County man who was killed. But local outlet WKDZ reported the body of David Duncan was found Monday morning in a truck that had been overcome by floodwaters.
Beshear also warned an overnight freeze warning was likely Monday night heading into a chilly Tuesday and urged Bluegrass State residents to continue to take precautions as rivers and other waterways near peak levels.
"Do not drive through water, do not move barricades, because remember, if you do that, you're not just making a bad decision for yourself, you could cause the harm or even death to that next person that comes along," he added.
More than 500 state roads were closed at the start of the week due to high waters.
Temperatures in Louisville on Tuesday are expected to remain in the mid to upper 40s, according to the National Weather Service, before rising back into the upper 50s and lower 60s Wednesday and Thursday. Some precipitation is expected Wednesday night heading into Thursday.
In cases of life-threatening emergencies, Beshear said, call 911. For immediate issues that do not put lives at risk, call 502-607-6665 or visit kyem.ky.gov. Emergency management crews from several other states are currently in the commonwealth supporting the National Guard, KSP and other first responders.
"Four days of severe storms have brought devastation to so many communities," Beshear said. "... To all the rescue teams from here in the commonwealth or from other states that have come to aid us, thank you for helping our people. Thanks for answering the call once again."
Reporters Marina Johnson, Leo Bertucci, Connor Giffin, Stephanie Kuzydym and Killian Baarlaer contributed. Reach The Courier Journal's news team at lounews@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville waits for Ohio River flood to crest after days of rain
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