An Owen County Search and Rescue vessel passes by the flooded community of Monterey, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Ryan C. Hermens
rhermens@herald-leader.com
In the aftermath of days of heavy rain, Kentucky is now seeing record levels of flooding.
Sunday is expected to be the final day of showers across the state, according to the National Weather Service. Freezing temperatures will now move into the state on Monday and Tuesday night.
Parts of Western Kentucky received more than 13 inches of rain since the severe weather began on Wednesday night, with Central Kentucky receiving between 4 and 6 inches, according to the Kentucky Mesonet network.
Flooding remains a threat across the state, with a flood warning remaining in effect until Monday at noon, ad both the Kentucky and Ohio Rivers are expected to reach high levels. The Kentucky River in Frankfort is projected to crest at 49.5 feet on Monday morning, one foot higher than the record set in 1978, according to the National Weather Service.
In Louisville, Mayor Craig Greenberg said the river is expected to rise to “one of the top 10 flooding events in our recorded history.” The Ohio River could reach 68 feet in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service.
See photos of the flooding from around Kentucky.
Exit 10 along the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Ky., is flooded Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Exit 10 along the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Ky., is flooded Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
A section of Lower Colesburg Road is flooded in Hardin County, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Exit 10 along the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Ky., is flooded Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
A section of Bellwood Road is flooded in Nelson County, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Exit 10 along the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Ky., is flooded Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Exit 10 along the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Ky., is flooded Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods Monterey, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
An Owen County Search and Rescue vessel passes by the flooded community of Monterey, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Monterey Pike, a road into Monterey, Ky., is flooded on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Water rises by a building in Monterey, Ky., as the Kentucky River floods on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
An Owen County Search and Rescue vessel passes by the flooded community of Monterey, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods Monterey, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods Monterey, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
An Owen County Search and Rescue vessel passes by the flooded community of Monterey, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Monterey Pike, a road into Monterey, Ky., is flooded on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods in Frankfort, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods in Frankfort, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods in Frankfort, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods in Frankfort, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods in Frankfort, Ky., on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods Watson Court in downtown Frankfort, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods the Paul Sawyier Public Library parking lot in downtown Frankfort, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods homes and buildings along Palisades Road in Mercer County, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods Watson Court in downtown Frankfort, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Floodwaters continued to rise Sunday, April 6, 2025 in Falmouth. Pendleton County officials issued emergency evacuation orders for Falmouth and Butler on Saturday, and access to much of Falmouth and all of Butler was cut off Sunday. Jason Gregg
Floodwaters continued to rise Sunday, April 6, 2025 in Falmouth. Pendleton County officials issued emergency evacuation orders for Falmouth and Butler on Saturday, and access to much of Falmouth and all of Butler was cut off Sunday. Jason Gregg
Floodwaters continued to rise Sunday, April 6, 2025 in Falmouth. Pendleton County officials issued emergency evacuation orders for Falmouth and Butler on Saturday, and access to much of Falmouth and all of Butler was cut off Sunday. Jason Gregg
Floodwaters continued to rise Sunday, April 6, 2025 in Falmouth. Pendleton County officials issued emergency evacuation orders for Falmouth and Butler on Saturday, and access to much of Falmouth and all of Butler was cut off Sunday. Jason Gregg
Floodwaters continued to rise Sunday, April 6, 2025 in Falmouth. Pendleton County officials issued emergency evacuation orders for Falmouth and Butler on Saturday, and access to much of Falmouth and all of Butler was cut off Sunday. Jason Gregg
The road was closed on 421 near the Buffalo Trace Visitor Center on, Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
Benson Ave was closed due to hight water, Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
Homes along Kentucky Avenue, Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
The parking lot of Ambassador’s for Christ Ministries parking lot had debris and flood water near the Forks of the Elkhorn , Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
Flooding near the Forks of the Elkhorn , Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
Elkhorn Creek RV Campground near the Forks of the Elkhorn , Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
Flooding near the Forks of the Elkhorn , Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
Flooding near the Forks of the Elkhorn , Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
The parking lot of Ambassador’s for Christ Ministries parking lot had debris and flood water near the Forks of the Elkhorn , Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
Stairs led under the West Frankfort Connector from Kentucky Ave, Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
People watched the flood in downtown Frankfort, Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
Water was high behind the WesBanco building along Main Street , Sunday April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Ky. Photo by Mark Mahan
Floodwaters rise Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Falmouth. Pendleton County officials issued an emergency evacuation order for Falmouth and Butler, and several access points to the cities were shut off Sunday. Emily Valentine
Floodwaters rise Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Butler. Pendleton County officials issued an emergency evacuation order for Falmouth and Butler, and several access points to the cities were shut off Sunday. Emily Valentine
Floodwaters rise Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Butler. Access to Butler was completely shut off Sunday as floodwaters encroached on Pendleton County. Facebook via Butler Mayor Mason Taylor
Floodwaters rise Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Butler. Access to Butler was completely shut off Sunday as floodwaters encroached on Pendleton County. Facebook via Butler Mayor Mason Taylor
Floodwaters rise Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Butler. Access to Butler was completely shut off Sunday as floodwaters encroached on Pendleton County. Facebook via Butler Mayor Mason Taylor
Floodwaters rise Sunday, April 6, 2025 in Butler. Access to Butler was completely shut off Sunday as floodwaters encroached on Pendleton County. Facebook via Butler Mayor Mason Taylor
The Kentucky River floods homes and buildings along Palisades Road in Mercer County, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods homes and buildings along Palisades Road in Mercer County, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River surrounds a home on Watson Court in downtown Frankfort, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods Watson Court in downtown Frankfort, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River surrounds a home on Watson Court in downtown Frankfort, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River floods the Paul Sawyier Public Library parking lot in downtown Frankfort, Ky., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
The Kentucky River surrounds homes on Dix Drive near High Bridge in Jessamine County on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
This story was originally published April 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM.
Monica Kast covers higher education for the Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com. Previously, she covered higher education in Tennessee for the Knoxville News Sentinel. She is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University.Support my work with a digital subscription
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