'Heavy rain threat' looms for Eastern Kentucky, raising fear of more flooding, mudslides

Rae Johnson and Caleb Stultz, Louisville Courier Journal
·3 min read
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Flood-soaked Eastern Kentucky is set to receive another round of rain this week, raising fears of more mudslides in the region.

"There are still areas that are pretty wet," Alex Vorst, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, said on Monday. "More rain is going to run off, and that is where you get your mudslides and flooding."

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch that will remain in effect until Wednesday evening that includes several of the counties already devastated by flooding.

Gov. Andy Beshear said in a press conference Tuesday that flooding was a concern in the days moving forward as efforts to provide stability to those who have been impacted by the crisis continue. "Major rain" was forecasted until about 8 p.m. Wednesday, he said.

"The next two days are of significant concern. Folks have been through too much. A lot of people are trying to stay in or around their homes where we know it flooded, and there could potentially be heavy rainfall in these areas," he said Tuesday morning. "My concern over the next couple days is that everyone is safe."

On Tuesday the weather service said in a Twitter post that a "heavy rain threat" was possible, and issued a flood watch for most of the region from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

A slowly approaching front could lead to showers and thunderstorms, causing "bouts of heavy rainfall" that could lead to "isolated to scattered" flash flooding, it said.

Weather outlook for Aug. 8-10 in Jackson, Kentucky

  • Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

  • Wednesday morning: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

  • Wednesday evening: Showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m. with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 p.m. and midnight. Then, a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

  • Thursday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9 a.m. and cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing.

People may see "a little reprieve" after Thursday, Vorst said, with cooler temperatures and drier conditions on Friday and Saturday.

What happened in Eastern Kentucky?

At least 37 people were killed when flooding and mudslides hit the region at the end of July. The storms led to 13 counties being declared federal disaster areas by President Joe Biden, who was visiting the region on Monday with first lady Jill Biden.

Many people in the area have been displaced from their homes because of flooding and mudslides, and others have been stranded without water, electricity or other critical supplies.

How to get flooding assistance:7 mobile FEMA units now open in Eastern Kentucky. Here's how to get flooding assistance

Two still missing from Eastern Kentucky after flooding

Kentucky State Police on Sunday evening identified two people still missing after the flooding as Vanessa Baker, 60, and Nancy Cundiff, 27, both of Lost Creek in Breathitt County. Baker has dark hair and is about 5-foot-7 and 215 pounds. Cundiff also has dark hair and is about 5-foot-1 and 280 pounds, police said.

Both were last seen at their homes on Lower River Caney Road.

Flooding damage:Eastern Kentucky flooding victims begin to recover, assess damage

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Eastern Kentucky under flash flood watch through Wednesday