The National Weather Service has upped its anticipated rain totals for Saturday which has also prompted Governor Andy Beshear to declare a state of emergency ahead of the storms.
Justin Gibbs, the lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in Paducah, says 5-7 inches of rain for most of western Kentucky will mean some flash flooding, especially from the Purchase area along the I-69 corridor.
click to download audioA flood watch is in effect for all of western Kentucky through Saturday night. Gibbs says flooding has already begun along the Green River in Calhoun and Paradise. He says the rain will start Saturday morning and pick up in intensity throughout the day.
click to download audioGibbs also says a thunderstorm and severe weather can’t be ruled out for Saturday.
click to download audioGovernor Beshear has declared a state of emergency by activating the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center and units of the Kentucky National Guard to stand ready to respond. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials and crews are also on alert, and local emergency management leaders are working to keep people informed.
Gov. Beshear also activated the state’s emergency operations center and implemented the state’s price gouging laws to protect people from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the storm. Consumers should report any price gouging to the Attorney General’s office.
Once the rain moves through this weekend, the weather will turn cold on Sunday with Gibbs saying there is the potential for a winter storm next week.
click to download audioTemperatures will stay in the low 30s for most of next week with lows in the teens and wind chills in the single digits.
