Much of Kentucky is drenched in rain this week. How much will fall?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Multiple rounds of rain in Kentucky are forecast to continue through Wednesday morning.
- The NWS warns rainfall totals of 0.75 to 2 inches, with some areas getting 3+ inches.
- Flood watches cover Lexington; flash flood warnings include Hardin, Green, Hart, Taylor.
Heavy rain showers are expected to drop significant precipitation on much of Kentucky this week, and the National Weather Service says some areas may be at risk of flooding.
The rain started Tuesday morning in Central Kentucky. It will continue falling for much of the day Tuesday and continue into Wednesday morning. Total rainfall is expected to range from 0.75 to more than 3 inches in some parts of Kentucky.
Areas to the southwest of Louisville and Central Kentucky, including Lexington, are under a flood watch until at least Wednesday morning, according to the NWS. Hardin County is under a flash flood warning until at least 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, while Green, Hart and Taylor counties are also under a flash flood warning until at least 11:15 a.m. Tuesday.
Hardin County had already received 3.69 inches of rain in the last 24 hours as of 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Kentucky Mesonet. Bullitt, Caldwell, Grayson, Hart, Hopkins, Logan, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Taylor and Warren counties all recorded at least 2 inches of rain in the same span.
The NWS said areas in Central Kentucky between Interstate 64 and the Cumberland Parkway are most at risk of flooding. Creeks, streams and other low-lying areas could flood along with low-water roads.
The rain is expected to stop Wednesday afternoon before returning Friday.
Lexington’s southern station of the Kentucky Mesonet had recorded 1 inch of rain in the past 24 hours as of 9:45 a.m., according to the Mesonet.
Possibility of severe weather
Some of this week’s storms could be severe, according to the NWS. The areas in the flood watch are under a marginal risk for severe weather, the lowest risk assessment out of five in the NWS’ storm prediction center.
The timeframe for possible severe weather is Tuesday afternoon into early Tuesday evening, and late Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. The NWS said the first round could include gusty winds to the west of Pennyrile Parkway, while the second round could include gusty winds along and west of Interstate 65.
