Kentucky is hit by ‘catastrophic and historic’ flash flooding as houses and cars are swept away knocking out power for 20,000 and many people are trapped in their homes for after mega storms dumped up to 10 inches of rain
- Chris Bailey, WKYT’s chief meteorologist said: ‘I don’t have the words to describe the amount of devastation daylight will uncover across eastern Kentucky’
- There are countless severe weather warnings in place all over the state and in Breathitt County the courthouse has been opened as a shelter for people displaced by the floods
- The county’s emergency department said: ‘Many roadways in the county are becoming covered with water and are impassable. Please stay off the roads if at all possible tonight’
Kentucky has been hit by ‘catastrophic and historic’ flash flooding as houses and cars are being swept away and power is knocked out for more than 20,000 people while some are trapped in their homes.
Mega storms across the state have dumped up to 10 inches of rain overnight while Kentucky suffers ‘one of the worst flash flood events ever’.
‘We are dealing with a catastrophic and historic flash flooding situation in parts of the region,’ WYMT reporter Steve Hensley said on Twitter.
‘I’ve never seen water come off the hill behind my house like this. There are people trapped and homes and roads flooded. A flash flood emergency continues for several counties. I pray nobody has lost their life. I’m afraid the devastation we will see after daybreak will be significant.’
Chris Bailey, WKYT’s chief meteorologist said: ‘I don’t have the words to describe the amount of devastation daylight will uncover across eastern Kentucky.
‘This is likely to go down as one of the worst flash flood events to ever hit the state.’
Flooding has been so severe that it has knocked out power for more than 20,000 customers according to WYMT.
And flooded roadways will prevent crews from restoring it for some time, Appalachian Wireless told the local station.
There were up to 30 rescues going on in Hazard, one of the hardest hit areas, as of 4am this morning, local station WTVQ reports. And the fire department has announced it needs help because of the overwhelming amount of work.
Homes in the state have become swamped in murky rainwater and swollen rivers are sweeping away cars
The streets in eastern Kentucky are flooded with lashings of rain after flash floods struck the state overnight
Jackson Branch Road in Clay County is completely flooded with cars and vans almost completely submerged
Homes in the area have become swamped in murky rainwater and swollen rivers are sweeping away cars
Chris Bailey, WKYT’s chief meteorologist said: ‘I don’t have the words to describe the amount of devastation daylight will uncover across eastern Kentucky’
Homes across the state are becoming submerged underwater due to the severe flooding
Floyd County has announced a state of emergency due to the severe flash floods which have hit Kentucky overnight
There are countless severe weather warnings in place all over the state and in Breathitt County the courthouse has been opened as a shelter for people displaced by the floods.
The county’s emergency department said: ‘Many roadways in the county are becoming covered with water and are impassable. Please stay off the roads if at all possible tonight.
‘The courthouse is open at this time for those displaced by rising waters if you don’t have another place to go.’
Rowan County teacher Allison Slone said in a social media post, ‘Please pray for the people of eastern Kentucky. Our friends and family are losing everything. I’ve never seen flooding like I’m seeing in pictures. Complete devastation in some areas. People trapped. Homes flooding that have never flooded. People and homes being washed away.’
There are countless severe weather warnings in place all over the state and in Breathitt County the courthouse has been opened as a shelter for people displaced by the floods
The state’s governor Andy Beshear wrote: ‘Kentucky, please be weather-aware’
The National Weather Service says life-threatening flash flooding may be possible in multiple counties, including Breathitt, Perry, Owsley, Knott, and Clay.
As of four hours ago at least five water rescue were underway across Perry County.
The Weather Channel wrote on Twitter that most of the flash flood warnings are in place across eastern Kentucky.
The state’s governor Andy Beshear wrote: ‘Kentucky, please be weather-aware.
‘Heavy rain is expected across the commonwealth through Friday, with possible flooding in the eastern part of the state. Please stay alert and take all precautions to keep yourself and others safe.’
Alongside his message of warning he uploaded a picture showing the predicted levels of rainfall throughout the state through Friday.
Frantic cleanup is underway in parts of eastern Kentucky with some residents saying rainwater is up to their knees.
At Abbott Creek Road in northern Floyd County, the road at times was completely covered by water. David Stumbo, who lives in that area, has some water in his basement but compared to some of his neighbors, he considered himself lucky, according to local media.
Stumbo, who said water was up to his knees, said in the three years he’s lived there it’s happened twice. He said some of his trash cans had even floated down the road.
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