Flooding a concern as Kentucky snow melts
As the recent snow melts, officials across the state are keeping a careful eye on flooding.
The National Weather Service in Jackson on Saturday reported flooding in Ravenna in Estill County at the Kentucky River, meteorologist Kevin Sullivan said. Sullivan said there was also flooding in Barbourville and Williamsburg on the Cumberland River.
Sullivan said it was not immediately known how many homes were affected. The Mountain Advocate newspaper reported that this weekend's flooding is the worst in a decade.
Sullivan said the rivers had crested by about noon on Saturday, and the Kentucky River at Ravenna and the Cumberland River at Barbourville were expected to begin receding Saturday night. The water in Williamsburg should begin receding by Sunday night.
Sullivan said the rest of Estill County outside Ravenna and all of Knox and Whitley counties could be subject to area flooding that could block roadways.
However, the worst is likely over, Sullivan said.
Other updates:
■ The Kentucky River at the Frankfort lock was near flood level but appears to have crested and will begin to return to normal levels by Monday, according to Toby Tenharmsel of the National Weather Service in Louisville.
■ The weather service reported minor flooding in the Rolling Fork River near Boston, located near the Nelson and Hardin county line. The Rolling Fork was expected to fall below flood level by noon Sunday.
■ On its Facebook page, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 10 in Jackson reported that Ky. 52 in Lee County near Saint Helens is closed indefinitely because of storm damage, affecting traffic between Beattyville and Jackson. Additionally, Ky. 1440 in Perry County was down to one lane because of damage from the weather. For updates, see Facebook.com/KYTCDistrict10.
■ Kentucky Transportation District 7 in Lexington, which covers 12 counties in Central Kentucky, reported road closures in Clark County on Mina Station Road from mile points 0.0 to 1.0; in Garrard County on Level Ridge Road over Sugar Creek Bridge at mile point 2.5; and in Mercer County on Dry Branch Road from mile post 0.0 to 4.0.
For more traffic and travel information dial 511 or see 511.Ky.Gov.
This story was originally published March 7, 2015 at 11:08 AM with the headline "Flooding a concern as Kentucky snow melts."