Pieces of wreckage drifted along the Kentucky River in Frankfort on Saturday. AP
Severe storms and rising river waters have caused dangerous flooding across Kentucky. The weather has led to emergency rescues, road closures, and power outages. Many areas are under evacuation orders, and officials are urging people to leave low-lying areas and move to safer ground.
Kentucky’s governor has declared a state of emergency. He said some areas have received record rainfall and could face the worst flooding in their history. He also asked residents to take the situation seriously and stay alert.
In Frankfort, the Kentucky River is rising fast. Officials warn it could reach 49.5 feet by Monday, just under the level the flood walls can handle. Streets and basements are already flooding. The city’s mayor put a curfew in place for affected neighborhoods to protect people and help emergency crews work faster.
Emergency teams, including the National Guard, are going door to door to warn people. Officials say it’s better to leave now than wait too long. The water treatment plant in Frankfort has stopped working. People are being told to save water because only a small supply remains.
Nearby towns are also dealing with major flooding. In Falmouth, people who don’t live there are being told to stay out. In Louisville, the Ohio River has jumped more than five feet in just 24 hours and will rise even more in the coming days.
In the Colesburg area, rescue teams are helping people escape rising waters. Footage from nearby towns shows homes surrounded by water, with boats floating through neighborhoods. In some areas, water levels have reached rooftops.
Bowling Green also declared a state of emergency. Officials there are warning people not to drive through flooded roads. Local police will fine anyone who ignores roadblocks. Schools and courts across the region are closed, including colleges and the state’s Supreme Court.
Firefighters carried out search and rescue operations in a flooded neighborhood in Frankfort on Sunday. AP
The flooding is just one part of the disaster. Powerful storms have also struck many parts of the southern and central U.S. Since Wednesday, at least 19 people have died in seven states. Tornadoes, high winds, and hail have caused widespread damage.
In Kentucky, a 9-year-old boy died after being swept away by floodwaters on his way to the school bus. A 74-year-old was found dead inside a flooded car. In Georgia, a tree fell on a father and son at a golf course, killing them. Tennessee reported at least 10 storm-related deaths.
More storms are expected. As of Sunday, 22 million people across the Southeast are at risk. Cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, and Birmingham are in the storm zone. Weather experts say strong winds, large hail, and tornadoes are likely.
So far, at least 31 tornadoes have been confirmed across eight states. Some were very strong, reaching EF3 levels. Over 56,000 people in the central U.S. lost power. In Arkansas alone, nearly 75,000 were left in the dark overnight.
Flood watches and warnings remain in place for parts of the Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, and Southeast. Rivers will continue rising as more rain falls and runoff adds to the flood risk. Even after the rain stops, many areas will still face danger in the days ahead.
