Flooding in Frankfort: What we saw Sunday as Kentucky River levels rise to dangerous level
Kentucky’s state capital has been hit hard by flooding, following days of heavy rain across the state.
Residents in parts of Frankfort were evacuating on Sunday morning, Gov. Andy Beshear said on social media, and all state offices in the Frankfort area will be closed Monday.
The Kentucky River is projected to crest at 49.5 feet on Monday, according to the National Weather Service, one foot higher than the all-time record set in 1978. NWS considers 40 feet or higher a “major flood” in Frankfort.
Herald-Leader reporter Taylor Six spent Sunday morning in Frankfort. Here’s what she saw:
- Some downtown business owners were boarding up their storefronts and moving equipment to higher ground in anticipation of further flooding along the fast-rising Kentucky River.
- Businesses along Main Street were packing up their food inventory, moving it to indoor dining areas.
Sandbags lined several blocks that had direct access to the Kentucky River.
- Water was continuing to rise, covering traffic signs, lower levels of parking garages and mailboxes downtown.
- The traffic lights on Main Street were not operational, with police directing traffic.
- Access to the War Mother’s Memorial Bridge, which connects downtown Frankfort to the State Capitol Building, had been shut down.
- Some residents began evacuating, though many people were outside, walking up and down Main Street and taking photos and videos.
- Others drove with their windows down, taking photos of the damage.
Rain is expected to end on Monday, followed by freezing temperatures over the next several days. But rivers around the state will continue to rise, bringing additional flooding.
This story was originally published April 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM.