Cold Temperatures for the Eastern U.S.; Lake Effect Snow in the Great Lakes; Heavy Rain in the Pacific Northwest

Cold temperatures will continue across much of the eastern U.S. into today. Heavy lake effect snow continues into today east of Lakes Erie and Ontario. Two Pacific cold fronts will cross the Pacific Northwest early this week followed by another atmospheric river. Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected through midweek, with the potential for renewed urban and river flooding. Read More >

Overview

A slow moving low pressure system, in combination with the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Gordon, and abundant moisture brought a long duration heavy rainfall event to much of the Bluegrass region of eastern Kentucky. Southwesterly low level winds ahead of a very slow moving cold front ushered rich moisture into eastern Kentucky, which when combined with the available lift, resulted in copious amounts of rainfall. This, in combination with several inches of rain the past couple of days, led to widespread flooding and flash flooding.

Bath, Montgomery, and Menifee Counties all saw significant impacts. This includes 50-70 homes and 20-25 businesses, one of which was a school in Menifee County, being inundated with water. Numerous roads were damaged as culverts were washed out, forcing schools to close the following day. Disaster declarations were made for Montgomery and Menifee Counties while nearly a dozen water rescues were performed. Additionally, an eight year old boy was swept into a culvert in Morehead.

Significant flash flooding leading to a culvert on Dog Trot Road being completely washed out west of Frenchburg. Courtesy of Bill Helton.

Flooding
Storm Reports
Rainfall
Environment

Flooding

Damage to the asphalt of the bridge at Harpers Ridge Road and Spencer Creek near Mount Sterling. Courtesy of Greg Beam.

Spencer Creek rising over Harpers Ridge Road near Mount Sterling. Courtesy of Greg Beam.

Slate Creek at Kentucky Highway 713 near Mount Sterling. Courtesy of Greg Beam.

Flooding leading to a road closure in Mount Sterling. Courtesy of Jon Kelly Johnson.

Water across the intersection of Hinkston Pike and Garden Springs Drive in Mount Sterling. Courtesy of Emergency Management.

Flood waters surrounding a business in Mount Sterling. Courtesy of Jon Kelly Johnson.

Flood waters surrounding a manufactured home southeast of Jeffersonville in Montgomery County. Courtesy of Greg Beam.

Water over Saltwell Road west of Owingsville. Courtesy of Jason York.

Flooding in Bath County. Courtesy of Emergency Management.

Water surrounding a Dollar General store in Menifee County. Courtesy of Leigh Searcy.

Flood water surrounding a home in Frenchburg. Courtesy of Burtonyin Photography.

Water over the roadway outside of Frenchburg. Courtesy of @onlymscarter via Twitter.

Flood waters in Bowen in Powell County. Courtesy of Emergency Management.

Flooding along Kentucky Highway 15 east of Stanton. Courtesy of Tim Bruno.

Raging flood waters in Stanton. Courtesy of Jazmen Leanne Thorpe.

The Red River at Clay City was forced into minor flood stage Monday evening into Tuesday.

Water over Martha Mills Road south of Flemingsburg. Courtesy of Andy Evans.

Flooding at Morehead State University. Courtesy of Noah Dockery.

Storm Reports

Local Storm Reports received from September 9, 2018

The local storm reports are preliminary and are subject to change.

Rain Reports

24 hour rainfall totals from 8 a.m. Sunday through 8 a.m. Monday.

48 hour rainfall totals from 8 a.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Monday.

48 hour rainfall totals across the hardest hit portions of eastern Kentucky.

Environment


Surface map from Saturday showing the position of a nearly-stationary frontal boundary and the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Gordon.	Precipitable water values near 2 inches in the Bluegrass region, corresponding with values in the 99th percentile or near maximums when compared with climatology.	Enhanced moisture convergence along and ahead of the frontal boundary across the Bluegrass region.

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Cold Temperatures for the Eastern U.S.; Lake Effect Snow in the Great Lakes; Heavy Rain in the Pacific Northwest

September 9, 2018 Flash Flooding Across the Bluegrass Region