Tremendous rainfall amounts across Adair County and much of Kentucky this past week has caused road closures, water rescues, and mandatory evacuations.
Gov. Andy Beshear declared a State of Emergency in Kentucky on April 2 just ahead of the storms.
Last Thursday, Adair County E911 dispatchers received countless calls pertaining to the weather. Calls about debris in the roadway, water over the roads, and water rescue calls were received while they were also relaying weather alerts and activity to responders.
At 1:57 p.m., E911 received a call to 2790 Old Gradyville Rd. for a swift water rescue. A vehicle was swept off the bridge and the occupant was sitting on top of the vehicle. Rescuers on the scene were able to float a personal flotation device to the person, and they were able to use that to reach safety.
A call was received at 3:12 p.m. requesting an emergency welfare check on individuals that resided on Spout Springs Rd. where flood water was approaching homes. Three people and two dogs were safely evacuated.
Emergency responders were dispatched to 2969 Pelham Branch Rd. at 6:33 p.m. to a vehicle in the water with an occupant entrapped. Responders were able to rescue the individual safely.
All of these events took place within a few hours. Also during this time, Adair County had four thunderstorm warnings, three flood warnings, four weather spotter activations, and 19 road closures.
Adair County Emergency Management, Breeding Fire Department, Adair County Fire Department, Adair County EMS, Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Campbellsville Fire Department, and Constable Jason Rector were all responders to these calls.
As of Tuesday, L Hancock Rd. was still closed. Charlie Morrison Rd. is open but there is damage to the black top. The county road department is working relentlessly to repair damage to roads all over Adair County.
There was property damage in Adair County, but no significant losses of homes and no lives were lost. In a seven-day period, rainfall totals were 8.66 inches for Adair, 10.71 inches for Casey, and 7.62 inches for Russell.
Across Kentucky, there have been four deaths due to the storms. The deaths include a female in Nelson County, a male in McCracken County, a male in Trigg County, and a nine-year-old boy in Franklin County.
According to Beshear, there have been 142 rescues and 272 evacuations by boat. As of Tuesday, there were 2614 people across the commonwealth without power.
Several state offices closed Monday due to flooding in Frankfort. For the first time in history, Thunder Over Louisville was postponed due to weather.
“This weather event and flooding is like nothing we’ve faced before, especially this close to Thunder,” Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival president and CEO, said in a news release. “While we’d love to bring everyone together on Saturday to watch one of the best air shows and fireworks shows in the country, we know it’s not logistically possible and would not be safe to do so.”
By Amy Pike
newsroom2@adairvoice.com
Safety Tips During Flooding
Watch your step. Floodwaters often hide sharp and dangerous debris, like broken glass and metal. Floodwater can also be contaminated with oil, gasoline or sewage.
Wear the appropriate protective clothing and gear such as boots, gloves and safety glasses when moving debris.
Stay away from electrical utility equipment after a storm, or if it is wet, to prevent being electrocuted. Report any utility issues to your local utility company.
Flooded homes are hazards. Get a professional to check for loose wires, mold and hidden damage before re-entering.
Never drive into a road covered with flowing water. One foot of flowing water can sweep a car off the road; two feet will carry away an SUV or pickup. Even six inches of water can knock you off your feet. Never walk or drive through swift water. Turn around, don’t drown.
Respect barricades and posted signage. If you encounter a flooded road, turn around. You’re not only putting your own life at risk, but also the lives of first responders.
