A line of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms that swept through the area on Friday has affected numerous roads in Hopkins County.
According to Emergency Management Director Nick Bailey, several roads are closed due to high water levels.
click to download audioAs of Friday afternoon, he said there have been no rescues or evacuations. However, he mentioned that the state is sending assistance as a precautionary measure.
click to download audioHe said one of the biggest concerns during a flooding event is ensuring that people are not driving through high water.
click to download audioBailey recommended that residents remain at home unless travel is absolutely necessary, particularly due to the uncertainty of water levels. He said that the forecast predicts more severe thunderstorms and rain overnight and into Saturday, which will make the flooding situation worse.
As of 3:00 Friday afternoon, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reports that the following state roads have high water signs:
U.S. 41A between the 12-13 mile points – Providences Levee
U.S. 62 between the 16-17 mile points between Nortonville and White Plains
KY 70 between the 11-13 mile points near Richland Church
KY 109 between 6-8 mile points near Ferguson Town Road
KY 112 at the 5.4 mile points
KY 138 between the 0-1 mile points at Slaughters
KY 281 (Island Ford Road) between 0-2 mile points
KY 502 between the 1-5 mile points
KY 502 between the 7-8 mile points
KY 813 between the 10-11 mile points near Mortons Gap
KY 1033 between 0-2 mile points near Vandetta
KY 1069 (Stagecoach Road) between the 0-2 mile points
KY 1302 (Pleasant View Road) between the 1-2 mile points
KY 1337 between the 4-5 mile points
KY 2083 between the 0-1 mile points near Little Valley
KU 2281 (Carriage Lane) between the 0-1 mile points
KY 2337 (Tucker Schoolhouse Road) at the 4 mile point
KY 3059 (Wells Road) between the 1-2 mile points
Meanwhile, Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield has announced the Old Courthouse opens at 5:00 and will remain open to the public as a shelter throughout the coming storms. He noted the Old Courthouse is a safe and stable building, but it is not a certified storm shelter. You need to enter the Old Courthouse through the breezeway entrance. Due to the need for 911 dispatch to be able to hear and communicate, pets are not allowed. He mentioned that while they are opening the Old Courthouse due to a tornado concern, there is more concern for flooding.
We will continue to monitor the flooding and potential severe weather this evening and Saturday. Your News Edge Weather Edge team will provide live flooding updates and severe weather coverage, if necessary, on 93.9 WKTG HD-1, and 107.7/730 WFMW. You can also stream live coverage through each station’s app and web stream.
