Kentucky flooding begins, with more rain coming: 'It is only going to get worse'

• Following more than two days of intense rains, much of Kentucky is at risk of floods.
• Up to 6 inches of additional rainfall are expected through Sunday night in some areas, bringing additional flood risk.
• A young boy was killed by floodwaters in Frankfort on Friday, and officials have warned residents to exercise extreme caution as waters continue to rise around the state.

Rain continued to pummel Kentucky and the Ohio River valley Friday, with more expected into the weekend, placing wide swaths of the state at risk of widespread and flash flooding, as rivers and streams pour over their banks.

President Donald Trump approved a disaster declaration for every county in Kentucky on Friday, as towns were inundated by floodwaters and roads were washed out or impassable.

Parts of Hopkinsville, in Christian County, were engulfed after 8.6 inches of rain fell in 48 hours. More than 8.7 inches was measured over 48 hours in Marshall County, where emergency management officials said Friday, "It is only going to get worse over the next few days."

Officials reported at least one fatality likely tied to severe weather Friday, after a child in Frankfort was swept away by floodwaters while walking to a school bus stop. The Franklin County Coroner's Office identified the boy as Gabriel Andrews, 9.

Rainfall of this magnitude has proven extremely deadly in Kentucky's past flood events. National Weather Service officials have stressed that many deaths come as a result of people driving through floodwaters.

In what is amounting to a marathon of severe weather, forecasts indicate more downpours through Sunday of up to 6 inches in some areas, further exacerbating floods. A number of Kentucky waterways are expected to reach major or moderate flood stage in the coming days.

"An unusual, potentially historic flood risk exists tonight," Justin Gibbs, lead forecaster at the National Weather Service office in Paducah, said Friday. "It's going to flood in places that don't normally flood, and probably in places that have never seen flooding. It's a particularly dangerous situation."

Communities inundated, roads obstructed by floodwaters

By Thursday night, water rescues were already underway in parts of the state, including Louisville — where first responders pulled a woman and three children from a vehicle stalled out by floodwaters in the Limerick neighborhood.

A Louisville swift water rescue team was also deployed to aid rescue efforts in and around Casey County, officials said. Reports of water rescues have also come in from Taylor County, Christian County and other parts of the state Friday as waters rose.

Floodwaters spilled into the streets of Hopkinsville, where more than 8 inches of rain over two days lifted the South Fork Little River to major flood stage. Rain in central and western Kentucky will not relent Saturday, according to federal forecasts, amplifying flood risks in the region.

"Rain totals have been higher than expected, and conditions are serious across the state," Gov. Andy Beshear said on social media Friday. "Folks, the next 48 hours are critical. Please be alert, avoid high water and make smart decisions."

The Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District was installing several flood wall closures Friday as part of the city's Ohio River flood protection system, and "expects to have all 16 of its flood pumping stations in service by Sunday," the district said, in anticipation of the Ohio River's crest.

In Jefferson County's Fairdale area, a mudslide on the Gene Snyder Freeway delayed Friday morning traffic. Officials said they received reports of the mudslide at about 2:38 a.m.

A number of Louisville roads, in addition to public areas like the Parklands of Floyds Fork, were closed Friday because of flooding, officials said. And Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, in Eastern Kentucky, was evacuated due to "flooding at entry and exit roads," Beshear said.

"Our depth perception's not the same at nighttime and it's impossible to see flooding at night, so please don't travel if you don't have to," said NWS meteorologist Mike Kochasic. "If you encounter closed roads, barricades or flooded roadways, please don't cross them."

Rivers will continue to rise

As inch after inch of rain pummels the Ohio River valley, Kentucky creeks are spilling over their banks and feeding the commonwealth's major rivers, many of which are expected to hit major or moderate flood levels by this weekend.

Some stretches of the Kentucky River are expected to hit major flood stage, as is Elkhorn Creek, a tributary. Near Lockport, in Henry County, the Kentucky River is forecast to reach a 55-foot crest by Sunday — 22 feet above flood stage, and within 2 feet of the record for that location.

In Western Kentucky, federal forecasts have much of the Green River reaching major flood stage, including near Woodbury and Rochester, in Butler County, and down to Muhlenberg and McLean counties, between this weekend and early next week.

Flooding in many parts of Ohio and Indiana will also eventually run down to the Ohio River, potentially threatening the many Kentucky towns perched on its bank.

Much of the Ohio River downstream of Louisville, until its confluence with the Mississippi River west of Paducah, is forecast for moderate flooding in the coming days, though exact flood levels and timing could vary as rainfall continues.

Reach environmental reporter Connor Giffin at cgiffin@courier-journal.com. Reach reporter Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.