Little new damage from recent rain
Apr. 13—ASHLAND — Counties in the Tri-State reported minimal damage from Thursday's rain showers after flood warnings and tornado watches were issued.
Boyd, Greenup and Carter counties weathered another batch of heavy rain which contributed to flooding and one call for help. Tim England, emergency management director of Boyd County, they received a call for rescue on Ky. 854.
"The subjects were out of the car and the car had been pulled up out of the water when our units arrived. We didn't have any reports of any further damages and no other rescues," he said.
Nuisance flooding was reported in Rush at 7:45 p.m. England said the area is prone to flooding. After observing weather reports and seeing the rise in the water, emergency management made the call to alert surrounding homes to evacuate.
"We told some of our folks, especially out 854, that the water was coming up fast and this was the time to go. When we checked this morning, all the water had moved down toward Summit and Westwood as it drains to the river," he said.
Flooded roadways were to blame for several road closures through Thursday night, England said, but with rain moving out of the region, the water began to recede.
"Everything is pretty much back to normal now," England said.
Thursday's storm came about a week after a severe weather outbreak on April 2, which brought 16 tornadoes to the Tri-State, according to The National Weather Service.
In Greenup County, high water caused by a drainage issue near Tractor Supply in Russell created standing water on the road.
"We just went up there and stood by it," Russell Fire Chief Billy Selvage said.
Garth Wiremen, Greenup County emergency management director, said besides the flooding on Diederich Boulevard, the county had seen minimal to no problems from Thursday's rain.
"The state had to come out and put up some high water signs, but outside of that there was nothing significant," Wiremen said.
As of Friday afternoon the river sits at 41.7 feet and a pump is inserted at 45 feet, also known as flood stage. David Travis, superintendent of Ashland Street Department, said the pump station will be inserted Friday night.
"It's a numbers game. If the water goes up, we throw the pumps in according to where the pumps go. We are fully staffed and prepared," Travis said. The river is not likely to crest until Monday, at 54.1 feet.
(606) 326-2657 — ajohnson@dailyindependent.com
