Gov. Matt Bevin declared a statewide emergency in response to continued heavy rainfall events which have caused widespread flooding and damage to critical infrastructure across Kentucky.
Beginning on Feb. 9, severe storms produced heavy rain and strong wind gusts, causing flooding, landslides and mudslides and resulting in injuries and major impacts to infrastructure, agricultural production and governmental, commercial and private properties.
With rain falling over the weekend and more in the forecast, local counties are remaining prepared for any upcoming flooding.
Lewis County Judge Executive Todd Ruckel said that Vanceburg has seen very little change in the past few days. There have been washouts and minor road damages cause by the heavy rainfall and flooding but nothing major to report on.
Ruckel said the Quicks Run Road is still closed and has been since the Ohio River reached the 50 foot mark. Other roads have opened and closed when necessary and no other roads are currently closed.
“We will be watching as we have,” said Ruckel. “Watching the forecast and reacting to it is what we have been doing and we will keep it up.”
Aberdeen Council member David Wireman said that Aberdeen has not seen notable changes in the past few days regarding the flooding. Precautions are still being taken throughout Aberdeen to ensure that in the event of any flooding, they will be prepared.
Aberdeen residents are still moving items to higher locations as a preemptive means to protect their belongings from possible flooding in the coming days.
“This isn’t anything like the 1997 flood,” said Wireman. “But we are still seeing water in some yards.
Wireman also said that the city has taken to moving gazebos, tables and benches to higher elevations and away from the Ohio River as it has risen and fallen.
The city of Augusta closed its Main Street and Minerva Drive to traffic on Sunday, Feb. 25 due to flooding in the city. Only residents, employees and volunteers were allowed to enter at these two locations.
Riverside Drive in Augusta is also closed as well as Second Street from Bracken west.
Any individuals caught going through or around barricades or moving them could be cited to court.
Augusta Independent Schools as well as Saint Augustine School will be closed on Monday, Feb. 26 due to flood conditions as well as road closures.
A state of emergency was declared by the city of Augusta on Friday, Feb. 23 and an emergency operations headquarters was set up at the Augusta Volunteer Fire Department station house on Main Street where first responders were available to help residents move furniture.
The AVFD also had a supply of boxes to share for the move if needed.
Craig Miller of Miller Lumber had left a load of sand bags for residents to pick up, if they needed them as well.
Several residents and businesses in Augusta moved out due to flood conditions as well. Some residences had not taken water on yet, but were surrounded by the flood waters.
Kentucky Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center on Feb. 22, at a Level 4.
“Monitor the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding alerts through your weather radio and media broadcasts to ensure you have awareness of changing conditions in your area,” said KYEM director Michael Dossett. ”Please also be aware of safety concerns for local first responders as they assist citizens in flood-prone areas.”
In response to rising floodwaters, search and rescue teams have been placed on standby to provide evacuation assistance as needed. State cabinet partners and the National Guard are also preparing for flood response activities.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is currently assessing damages in 21 Eastern Kentucky counties from the previous flooding event on Feb. 9-12, and is prepared to remain in the state to assess further damages in Kentucky.
Bevin has also activated the state’s prohibitions on price gouging, effective immediately, to protect consumers affected by the severe weather system.
The emergency order triggers several consumer protection measures and will remain in place for 30 days, but may be extended past that time as needed. This order ensures that any instances of price gouging, including for generators, building supplies, chainsaws, hotel rooms and other necessary goods and services at an exorbitant price in a time of disaster, will be fully prosecuted and held accountable.
For more information about KYEM operations, please contact Monica French at 502-607-5721.
The Ohio River begins covering low areas of Riverside Drive Sunday morning as residents stop to watch.
John Parker brought his buggy and antique car collection to higher ground Sunday in Augusta. The horse drawn carriages and vehicles were in a storage building closer to the Ohio River.
