Latest news with #ConnorGiffin
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
National Weather Service warns strong storms could roll through Kentucky. What to know
Coming off the heels of a round of deadly tornadoes in May, the National Weather Service anticipates a round of severe storms could hit the southern portion of Kentucky on June 7. "We'll see generally quiet weather across the region this morning. However, another round of strong to severe storms is forecast to move into the region this afternoon and continue through the evening," a spokesperson for the National Weather Service Louisville office said in an email. The worst of the storms is expected to hit southern Kentucky. Here is what to know about the severe weather heading to Kentucky: The main threats for June 7 consist of heavy rainfall, isolated flash flooding, and the potential for isolated damaging winds. The slight chance for severe weather is expected to hit southern Kentucky. Showers and thunderstorms are expected across the state into the afternoon and evening. More: Is Kentucky becoming more tornado-prone? Well, it's complicated Tornadoes in May, including an EF-4, were responsible for killing 19 people in Eastern Kentucky. Two weeks later, a small tornado hit Washington County, killing another person. As of May 23, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Kentucky related to the tornadoes, severe storms and straight-line winds that decimated parts of the state from May 16-17, including the EF-4 tornado that tore through Russell, Pulaski and Laurel counties, The Courier Journal previously reported. This marked the third major disaster declaration issued for the state for 2025, following historic flooding in April and February. Reporters Connor Giffin and Stephanie Kuzydym contributed to this report. Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@ or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: National Weather Service forecast strong to severe storms in Kentucky
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
As Ohio River crests in Louisville, see how it compares to past record floods
The Ohio River hit a crest of 28.3 feet Thursday afternoon, swelling into the Louisville area following Kentucky's heavy rains and upstream flooding, according to preliminary data from a river monitor above the McAlpine Locks and Dam. Thursday's crest is far from the record, a title belonging to the monster flood of January 1937, which crested at 52 feet at the upper gauge. But this week's river levels are the highest measured at McAlpine's upper gauge since March 2021. The river swallowed up River Road along Louisville's waterfront and crept up toward Main Street downtown. As the Ohio spilled over its banks, officials closed streets and activated flood protection infrastructure. By Friday morning, the river appeared to be receding from its crest, having lowered by several inches overnight. Nearly all of Kentucky sits in the Ohio River basin, and Louisville is now seeing the culmination of torrential rains in the eastern reaches of the state draining downstream. For example, the 7,000-square-mile watershed of the Kentucky River, which surged this past week following heavy precipitation, empties into the Ohio River at Carrollton before meandering down to Louisville. The Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District is responsible for maintaining the city's flood protection system and keeping floodwaters out of streets and neighborhoods. The infrastructure is about 70 years old, with 26 miles of concrete flood walls and earthen levees and a network of 16 pump stations. The pumps send water accumulating inside the city out to the Ohio River. The system protects an estimated 200,000 people and about $24 billion in property value, according to MSD. Crews also installed flood wall closures around the city this week and manned pump stations as the Ohio River swelled. MSD has pumped billions of gallons of stormwater out of the city from the past week's severe weather, according to the district. In a 2017 report, MSD estimated it would need to spend more than $2 billion in capital improvements on stormwater infrastructure, including more than $600 million on the Ohio River flood protection system, over the following two decades. Funding has been scarce. In addition to stormwater management and flood protection, MSD is also responsible for wastewater infrastructure, together amounting to significant costs. The district has taken on billions of dollars in debt and levied higher utility rates year after year to keep up with costs, and in October, local elected officials called for a state audit of the district's finances. Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal. Reach him directly at cgiffin@ or on X @byconnorgiffin. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Ohio River 2025 flooding crest compared to Louisville record floods
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Yahoo
Louisville creek turns red, smells of chemicals as officials investigate spill
A chemical spill turned a creek red in Riverside Gardens on Sunday afternoon, as nearby residents reported an intense chemical smell in the area. As of Sunday night, local officials had not confirmed the specific chemicals, quantities or source of the spill. The affected waterway is an unnamed intermittent stream flowing through Riverside Gardens and into the Mill Creek cutoff to the south, which in turn empties to the Ohio River. Bakelite Synthetics, a chemical plant handling formaldehyde, methanol, phenol and other hazardous chemicals in its operations, sits just north of the neighborhood — only a few hundred feet from homes along Wilmoth Avenue, where some residents spotted the discoloration. Neighbors noticed the spill by at least 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Mary Pichardo, a longtime resident of the neighborhood, described "a really strong paint thinner" smell before seeing the creek's color. Officials from the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department, Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and other agencies responded to reports from neighbors Sunday. "At this time, no leak or other origin that would result in this discovery has been found," a Bakelite spokesperson said in a statement Monday morning. "We continue to search our property and run tests and are fully supporting the ongoing investigation of this potential leak in the area." The company received a call around 5 p.m. from "Louisville's emergency management system reporting what looked to be pink or reddish foam in the drainage ditch on Camp Ground Road, the same road our Louisville site is located," according to the statement. A LENSAlert notification was sent out close to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, warning "residents and pets" within a half mile of the Bakelite plant, at 6200 Campground Road, to "avoid contact with natural streams and bodies of water until further notice." "There is otherwise no threat to the public, air quality, or drinking water," the alert said. "Officials will continue to monitor." The notification to the public came several hours after officials were aware of the spill. In the wake of past chemical incidents, local advocates have called on the city to bring more transparency and clarity to its notifications of chemical spills, particularly where residential areas are in proximity. Fire and emergency management officials did not immediately respond to calls or emails from The Courier Journal seeking further information. This story may be updated. Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal. Reach him directly at cgiffin@ or on X @byconnorgiffin. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville creek turns red as officials investigate chemical spill
