Updated: Heavy rain causes floods, evacuations, road closures, more around Kentucky
Heavy rain caused flooding around Kentucky, leading to water rescues in Lexington and evacuations and road closures in other areas of the state.
Cynthiana was expected to get some of the worst flooding, as a state of emergency was declared and flood levels neared the most severe stage. City officials initially urged some to “evacuate unless your residence was elevated above the 100-year flood line.”
The concerns were reduced Wednesday morning, as WKYT Chief Meteorologist Chris Bailey said the South Fork of the Licking River was supposed to crest at 22.4 feet around 6 a.m. Forecasts Tuesday projected a crest of 24 feet, which would have reached major flood stage.
Still, several areas were inundated with water. The National Weather Service said Harrison County, which includes Cynthiana, had received nearly 6.5 inches of rain over five days ending Wednesday.
The Cynthiana Democrat reported that officials from the health department and the American Red Cross temporarily set up at Harrison County Middle School to assist anyone who needed shelter. Nine people used the service, the Cynthiana Democrat said.
Residents began returning home Wednesday.
The Licking River also flooded Falmouth, and it was expected to crest at 37 feet Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, which would be a moderate flood level for the area. The National Weather Service previously said the river was expected to reach 41.5 feet by Thursday morning. Flood stage is at 33 feet.
The Licking River at Blue Licks Spring, the North Fork of the Licking River at Cynthiana, Stoner Creek at Paris and Elkhorn Creek at Peaks Mill were all still in the moderate flood stages as of mid-day Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Bailey said some places, like Harrison County, have gotten more than five inches of rain, and more rain was on the way, with storms and showers continuing through Thursday and Friday.
Lexington police said Tuesday they received calls about high water on Old Todds Road near the Clark County line, at the intersection of Russell Cave Road and Faulkner Avenue and on the 3100 block of Old Lemons Mill Road on Tuesday. The Weather Network said there were six water rescue emergencies in the city.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said several roads were closed in Bourbon County, including North Middletown Road/U.S. 460, which was closed between milepoints 12.1 and 14.2; Russell Cave Road/Ky. 353, which was closed between milepoints 4.8 and 6.4; and Millersburg - Cynthiana Road/Ky. 1879, which was closed between milepoints 1.6 and 2.7.
In Scott County, the Transportation Cabinet said Newtown Pike was closed at Johnson Mill Road and Lemons Mill Road was closed at milepoint 2.8.
This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 8:20 PM.
