Severe storms and flooding have devastated parts of Kentucky, resulting in multiple fatalities and widespread damage. The Kentucky River in Frankfort rose above 47 feet, approaching the city’s flood wall limit of 51 feet, prompting authorities to shut off utilities, divert traffic, and conduct water rescues.
In Carroll County, mandatory evacuations were ordered after floodgates at Dix’s Dam were “accidentally opened,” leading to rapid water level increases. Hindustan Times
The Kentucky Emergency Management Agency warned that residents in areas like Anderson, Carroll, Franklin, Henry, Mercer, Owen, Scott, and Woodford counties should prepare for major flooding.
The storms have claimed at least two lives in Kentucky, including a 9-year-old boy swept away by floodwaters in Frankfort. The broader storm system has resulted in over a dozen fatalities across the South and Midwest, with significant impacts in states like Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, and Indiana. Reuters
Drone footage captured extensive flooding in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where approximately 60% of downtown was submerged, and structural collapses occurred due to heavy rainfall. More than 8 inches of rain fell in some areas, with additional rainfall expected.
The National Weather Service has issued flood and tornado warnings across various states, describing the situation as a “life-threatening, catastrophic, and potentially historic flash flood event.” Residents are urged to avoid flooded roads and remain vigilant during the ongoing crisis.
For a visual overview of the flooding’s impact, drone footage from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, is available here:
