What We Know About the Storms That Keep Flooding Kentucky

New York Times

17-02-2025

Sheets of rain drenched Kentucky in recent days, causing floods that turned roads and neighborhoods into rivers in a part of the country that has been pummeled by severe weather in recent years.
Since Friday, as much as seven inches of rain has fallen onto the state, according to the National Weather Service, causing swollen rivers to overflow into communities, including some that are still reeling from catastrophic floods in 2022. That year, entire homes in eastern Kentucky were washed away. Over the weekend, more than 170 members of the state's National Guard, along with search-and-rescue crews from Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina and Indiana, were called in to help.
Now the region is bracing for a cold front and even more precipitation — this time in the form of snow. As much as six inches may fall in the days ahead, according to Andy Beshear, the Kentucky governor, which is expected to complicate rescues and cleanup efforts.
'This is one of the most serious weather events that we've dealt with in at least a decade,' Mr. Beshear said.
When did the storm begin?
Rain began Friday night and continued through Saturday, quickly leading to rising rivers that spilled over their banks. Snow that already coated much of the state melted, adding to the deluge.
How has the storm affected the area?
The storm has contributed to the deaths of at least 11 people in Kentucky, Mr. Beshear said. Hundreds more have been displaced from their homes, he said, and more than 14,000 customers are without power. He added that there have been more than 1,000 rescues, at least 300 roads are closed and seven wastewater systems are out of service. The extent of the damage has not been as extensive as it was in 2022, when at least 45 people were killed.
What part of Kentucky was hit the hardest?
The storm dealt its strongest blow to an area that was largely spared in the 2022 floods: Pike County, on the eastern side of state, beside its border with West Virginia and Virginia. In those neighboring states, about 40,000 customers were without power Monday afternoon, according to Poweroutage.us.
How has severe weather affected the area in recent years?
From tornadoes to mudslides and floods — and more floods, one climate disaster after another has pounded Kentucky. Over the last four years, flooding in eastern Kentucky has killed more than 50 people. In December 2022, tornadoes on the western side of the state left 80 dead.
The toll from this flood will be felt for a long time, but Governor Beshear said the state was better prepared for this storm than for some previous storms. Officials received better forecasts and residents got improved local warnings compared with those of 2022, he said. Emergency responders were deployed before the storm hit, allowing for quicker response times, according to the governor.
'We knew this was coming,' Mr. Beshear said.
Why is this happening?
While the effects of climate change on the Appalachian region are still being studied, researchers at the University of Kentucky believe that increasing amounts of rain and snow are overwhelming the region's moist, thin soil type. With soil that is unable to absorb all the excess water, streams and rivers become more likely to overflow, and flat areas experience pooling and flooding.
'It's hard to answer the why,' Governor Beshear said on Monday. 'I think we know climate change is making more and more weather events happen, but we keep getting hit over and over.'
Will the area get a break anytime soon?
Unfortunately, it doesn't look likely. Governor Beshear warned that a snowstorm was expected in the next few days.
He told residents that their priority this week should be to stay warm. People who need help as temperatures drop, he said, should reach out to noncritical emergency services or go to one of the state's shelters.