The state of Kentucky faced widespread floods this week after heavy rains.
Previous rainfall in the area saturated the ground giving this week’s rain nowhere to go. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says that the storm pushed rivers to heights.
According to Brad Rippey, “One river that was particularly affected was the Kentucky River. They had a historic flood just four years ago, almost the exact same time of year. Looking at a couple of numbers from the Kentucky River. Ravenna, Kentucky a number nine all-time flood. The river crested almost sixteen feet above flood stage early in the morning before daybreak on February 18th, and that is only a little over three feet below the high watermark that was set four years ago. Then as we move just a little further upstream to the south fork of the Kentucky River; Booneville, Kentucky a number three all-time crest there, set on February 16th. Almost sixteen feet above flood stage, that did some just short of the 2021 flood and the January of 1957 flood.”
Recovery will take some time with this week’s freezing temperatures and snow adding to standing water.
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