Flash flooding in Kentucky leaves one dead as state issues emergencies, evacuations

Rounds of dangerous flash flooding swamped the Ohio Valley on Saturday, prompting water rescues and evacuations as multiple Flash Flood Emergencies were issued in Kentucky amid a multi-day stretch of torrential rain.At least one motorist was killed after being swept away by flash floodwaters in Kentucky, Gov.Andy Beshear announced.

Gov.Beshear has declared a State of Emergency for the entire Commonwealth as widespread flooding impacts the state, warning that conditions are “much more severe than most would have thought.”A Flash Flood Emergency was issued in Jackson County for McKee, Sandgap and Clover Bottom as life-threatening flooding inundated communities.

Emergency crews responded to numerous water rescues as rapidly rising floodwaters overwhelmed roads and low-lying areas.Farther west, another Flash Flood Emergency was issued for parts of Madison County, where additional thunderstorms repeatedly tracked over already saturated ground, worsening ongoing flash flooding and creating life-threatening travel conditions.Photos shared by the Richmond Police Department showed roads submerged by floodwaters as emergency crews responded to numerous water rescue calls in the area.As life-threatening flooding continues across Kentucky, local states of emergency have been declared in Bullitt, Madison, Meade, Mercer and Spencer counties.In Bullitt County, Kentucky, officials issued an urgent evacuation order for part of Lebanon Junction after a dam was reported to have suffered a “moderate” failure, according to emergency management officials.The community was among several areas placed under Flash Flood Warnings across the Bluegrass State, Indiana and the surrounding region as heavy rain caused creeks and streams to rapidly rise.According to the FOX Forecast Center, widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches have fallen across portions of the Ohio Valley, with locally higher amounts contributing to flash flooding and rapidly rising waterways.Most Flash Flood Warni...