Central, Eastern Kentucky rivers flood

Because of snow and rain over the past couple of days, rivers in Central and Eastern Kentucky leaped over their flood stage early Wednesday by feet, not inches.

In other spots, banks held right at or near flood stage, according to the National Weather Service in Jackson. Flood warnings were in effect for four areas Wednesday morning, and advisories were in effect in two others.

At the South Fork of the Kentucky River at Booneville, water was recorded at 29.7 feet, nearly three feet about the flood stage of 27 feet, according to a 2 a.m. weather service measurement. The Cumberland River at Williamsburg was at 22.9 feet, one foot nine inches over the 21-foot flood stage in the same time period.

The Kentucky River was over flood stage in Ravenna by 21 inches and in Heidelberg by nine inches, according to the weather service.

Advisories were in effect for the Red River at Clay City and the Cumberland River at Barbourville, according to weather service reports issued about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Warnings and advisories were expected to expire as the rivers crest between Wednesday and Thursday, according to the weather service. Updates are expected to be issued Wednesday afternoon.

WKYT’s Chris Bailey predicted on his weather blog “a few flakes” would fall Wednesday morning before temperatures move toward the 60s Friday.

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 8:46 AM with the headline "Central, Eastern Kentucky rivers flood."