Eastern Kentucky Inundated by Heavy Rain Overnight, Leading to Issuance of Flash Flood Emergency

Flash flooding due to heavy rain threatened multiple areas across eastern Kentucky, it was reported on Thursday, July 28. The floodwaters prompted the issuance of a flash flood emergency and resulted in the closure of roads.

In addition, some residents were forced to evacuate from their homes as the raging floods affected residential areas, local authorities confirmed.

The National Weather Service (NWS) also issued flash flood warnings in a number of counties and urged the public to seek higher grounds due to the risk of being inundated by the torrential rain, especially low-lying areas and those located near inland bodies of water.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, including fatalities and injuries. However, circulating reports indicate of infrastructural damage affecting houses and buildings. Rescue operations or are also underway to evacuate stranded individuals.

For the past several months or years, this is one of the worst flooding that struck eastern Kentucky, where the flash flood emergencies are ongoing as of Thursday morning. The said heavy downpour is reportedly caused by severe weather conditions blanketing not only Kansas but also other regions across the United States.

Kentucky Flooding

Authorities confirmed that the ongoing inclement weather continues to pose disruptive and life-threatening risks in eastern Kentucky, as cited by CNN. For instance, heavy rain is making some roads impassable as the thick accumulation from the downpour placed road traffic movement into a halt.

The NWS also said up to six inches of rain fell in some areas and an addition three inches is still possible, as cited by the US media agency.

The US weather agency also confirmed the dire conditions of many roads and that life-threatening floods have submerged the area.

Flash Flood Emergencies

The NWS Jackson KY on Thursday posted on Twitter that flash flood emergencies remain in effect for parts of Breathitt, Knott, Owsley, Perry, Clay, and Letcher counties, warning people heavy downpour is still occurring in the said areas.

In the tweet, the NWS satellite office emphasized not to traverse the locations mentioned, highlighting this is a "very dangerous situation."

Furthermore, while it was mentioned earlier rescue operations are underway, rescue crews have been unable to reach some sites due to floodwaters over roadways.

Severe Weather Conditions

According to the Weather Channel, the "dangerous and destructive flooding" also affected parts of Appalachia as the thick rainfall occurred in a short period of time.

The weather news outlet even compared the Kentucky flooding to be similar to the widespread flood disaster in the city of St. Louis, Missouri where at least one person died and around 100 rescued.

The disastrous natural events come after the NWS previously forecasted severe weather conditions, including heavy rain, in the Midwest and other regions in the US East Coast.

The weather advisories warned that while a wet weather will replace the recurring extreme heat, flooding is still a threat, even amidst the North American country's summer season.