Kentucky flooding updates: Rescue, recovery efforts continue Monday

Yahoo

17-02-2025

Recovery efforts have resumed Monday as several areas around Kentucky continue dealing with the aftermath of devastating flooding that has left at least nine people dead, but efforts could be snarled by a winter weather system set to move into the region Tuesday.
Representatives from FEMA and mutual aid teams from other states arrived Sunday in Kentucky to assist with search and rescue efforts. Gov. Andy Beshear said more than 1,000 water rescues were conducted over the weekend, but the death toll is expected to rise as floodwaters begin to recede.
Cold temperatures and snow totals upwards of 6-8 inches in some areas is expected to move into the region beginning Tuesday night, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Louisville. Between 2-4 inches is anticipated in the Louisville area.
"In the last 48 hours, we have seen four seasons of weather," Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said during a Sunday news conference. "Rain, then snow. We've even had thunderstorms, and now we've got snow coming again … it's a serious, serious event."
Officials urged residents to stay off roadways until they've fully cleared and to reserve calling 911 for emergency and life-threatening situations given the high volume of calls and demand for service. People with immediate, non-life threatening needs should call [phone] or complete the Rapid Needs Assessment Form online.
Here's the latest on what we know Monday.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a Monday morning update that 11 people in the commonwealth have died as a result of recent flooding.
Beshear said a man in Hardin County and another in Floyd County were killed due to flood-related causes, increasing from the nine total deaths announced Sunday.
State officials remain in the "search and rescue phase" as Kentucky recovers from major flooding, Beshear said.
"There are still people that are in harm's way," Beshear said. "We need to make sure we don't create additional emergency situations so that all of our first responders can get those who we know are stranded and need help."
Beshear plans to head to Pikeville Monday afternoon to survey flood damage.
Officials are also keeping an eye on forecasted snow showers Tuesday and Wednesday, Beshear said, and it's possible some of the areas hit by severe floods could also see 2-6 inches of snow in the next 48 hours. A winter storm watch is set to take effect Tuesday evening in much of Kentucky, including Louisville.
"We're still dealing with this emergency situation and the weather coming is only going to complicate it," Beshear said.
Power and water outages have decreased "significantly" Monday. More than 14,000 Kentucky customers were without power Monday morning, down from a peak of more than 40,000 over the weekend, and more than 17,000 lacked water access at home. At least 143 people displaced by flooding have taken shelter at a Kentucky state park, Beshear said.
Kentucky floods Pikeville, Kentucky, hit hard again by floods, leans on community amid tragedy
Louisville Metro Public Works Communications Specialist Salvador Melendez said Monday morning that some roads around the city are closed due to flooding.
River Road from 3rd to 7th streets.
Beargrass Creek and Park Boundary Road.
Watson Lane and Tennis Boulevard.
Six Mile and Breckenridge lanes.
Fenwick Road and Fegenbush Lane.
Beals Branch Drive and Cherokee Gardens Road at Scenic Loop.
Campbell Street between Adams Street and Geiger Street.
Frankfort Avenue between Mellwood Avenue and River Road.
All entry to Cherokee Park including at Willow Avenue, Lexington Road and Eastern Parkway.
NWS Meteorologist Mark Jarvis said temperatures will remain colder throughout the week following some potentially significant snowfall Tuesday and Wednesday. While the precipitation will be dry and fluffy, it isn't expected to melt until temperatures warm Saturday and Sunday.
"It's going to get really cold after that snow moves through and we'll have a warming trend over the weekend, so we'll start melting snow probably over the weekend," he said.
NWS Meteorologist Mark Jarvis said Monday morning that flood waters are starting to recede in southern parts of the commonwealth, with most expected to be under flood levels by Wednesday.
"Across southeast Kentucky, most of the major rivers are now on their way down. They're still in flood, but they're coming down pretty quickly," Jarvis said.
The Ohio River, where most commonwealth rivers flow into, will see some minor flood conditions in Louisville. Water levels will be high and possibly won't recede until early next week.
"The Ohio River is getting ready to go into what we call minor flood so it's going to go over its banks and that'll start later this afternoon, and it will stay in minor flood for the remainder of the week."
Anticipated snow on Tuesday and Wednesday will have few impacts on flooding conditions with a dry, fluffy precipitation.
The NWS is predicting 2-6 inches of snow around the commonwealth Tuesday and Wednesday, and a winter storm watch will be in effect beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday night for various counties. The watch area, which includes Louisville, Jeffersonville, New Albany, Shepherdsville, Shelbyville and Elizabethtown, could see more than 4 inches.
A flood warning remains in effect until 1:30 p.m. Monday following heavy rainfall in recent days brought flooding to southeastern Kentucky.
Louisville weather Louisville weather: 'Heavy snow,' cold temperatures could follow floods
The Parklands of Floyds Fork experienced major flooding throughout the more than 4,000-acre park.
The park system announced closures of park roads and amenities on its website Sunday, including:
South side entrance of Broad Run Park at Bardstown Road
Beckley Creek Parkway under Interstate 64
North Beckley Canoe Launch parking area.
Numerous areas of the Louisville Loop in low-lying areas.
The Stand and Strand Trailhead
All canoe launches throughout the Parklands
Cherokee Park, which is supported by Olmsted Parks Conservancy, saw flooding, including multiple vehicles that were stuck in the floodwaters. Access to the Scenic Loops is limited, Louisville Parks and Rec officials said.
Water levels in the park have receded and crews have begun debris cleanup in the area, which is expected to be completed Monday. Due to vehicles previously stuck in floodwaters still needing to be removed, the area will remain closed to the public.
Parks officials said Shawnee Golf Course will most likely be closed as floodwaters rise and fall along the Ohio River. Eva Bandman and Carrie Caulbert Cox Park, both located along the Ohio River, are likely to remain closed for until next week due to their proximity to the river.
There was also a cave-in on Mitchell Hill Road in Fairdale. In a social media post, officials said it is "not currently limiting access to the Tom Wallace section of Jefferson Memorial Forest, however, that area also saw flooding over the weekend and JMF crews are assessing the area for a possible closure."
This story will update.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky floods: What we know about rescue, recovery efforts Monday