State Emergency Mgmt. Monitoring Storms, Floods

The State Emergency Operations Center and the Kentucky Joint Information Center remain activated and continue to monitor the strong weather system that has impacted the Commonwealth over the last few days. 

The system has dropped at least 15 inches of rain in some areas of western Kentucky, resulting in severe flooding, causing roads and bridges to wash out.

In a press release, KYEM says they have been communicating with the Governor, state partners and local officials throughout
the incident. Kentucky National Guard assets are on standby should assistance be requested.

The agency has received no reports of injuries or deaths associated with the weather system, however, five minor injuries were reported when a tornado from this weather system struck a local business in Louisa, KY on July 4.

Michael E. Dossett, Director of Kentucky Emergency Management, said, “With Governor Bevin’s declaration of a State of Emergency, KYEM is able to assist county officials and responders by leveraging requested state assets.”

The state says the following city and counties have declared States of Emergencies: Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Marshall, Metcalfe, Todd, and Trigg Counties; the City of Cadiz, and City of Princeton. 

KYEM reminds citizens to stay aware of their surroundings and weather in their area. Some safety tips to remember:

+ Already saturated ground can cause additional flash flooding and trees to easily topple

+ “Turn Around Down Drown”

+ Never approach downed powerlines, report them to your utility provider and/or local emergency management http://kyem.ky.gov/Who%20We%20Are/Pages/CountyDirectors.aspx

If you have any damages associated with this storm system, KYEM encourages you to report weather related damages to local officials, take photos of the damage and keep any repair receipts from the damages.

All public inquiries regarding the state response should be directed to (502) 607-6665. State officials are monitoring social media and encourage the use of #kywx when posting to social media in order to increase situational awareness.

A copy of the Governor's State of Emergency can be found at http://kyem.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx