Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet's Division of Water officials Thursday evening, out of an abundance of caution, recommended that homes and businesses in the floodplain of Panbowl Lake in Jackson, Kentucky be evacuated.
A muddy discharge observed at the Panbowl Lake dam combined with rising waters of the North Fork of the Kentucky River from the recent heavy rains, promoted the recommendation. Kentucky Emergency Management Director Jeremy Slinker conveyed the recommendation to local Jackson officials and the Breathitt County Emergency Manager on Thursday.
Records indicate there are approximately 110 homes, 13 businesses, two churches, a school and a hospital that could be impacted by the flooding.
"The most appropriate action we can take right now is to do everything we can to keep residents safe," Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman said.
In addition, KY 15, the major north-south thoroughfare linking the upper Kentucky River valley with the rest of the state, will be closed beginning at 9:30 tonight as floodwaters from the North Fork of the Kentucky River continue to rise.
The closure is at milepoint 17.7 within the city limits of Jackson, between Lakeside Drive and the KY 15/KY 30 intersection. The highway traverses Panbowl Dam; which was impounded when this section of KY 15 was built in the early 1960s.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet personnel will be at the site to monitor the situation overnight. Energy and Environment Cabinet personnel will be onsite Friday morning to continue assessing the situation. Once the river crests, KYTC will assess the situation and reopen the road when it is safe to do so.
In the meantime, any traffic from central Kentucky bound for Hazard should use alternate routes such as I-75 and the Hal Rogers Parkway through London and Manchester, or the Mountain Parkway, KY 114, US 23, and KY 80 through Prestonsburg.
Kentucky will get some help from its neighbors after Governor Jim Justice ordered members of the West Virginia National Guard be deployed to Eastern Kentucky. This will include two UH-60M Blackhawks and two UH-72 Lakota aircraft with hoist capability and full operational crews comprised of 14 soldiers. The crew members will be deployed from Williamstown.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles is requesting help for Eastern Kentucky after torrential rains unleashed deadly flash flooding and mudslides Thursday.
"Our Eastern Kentucky neighbors are experiencing a devastating weather event and need our help," Quarles said. "Kentucky residents have a strong sense of community and whenever there is a need, there are always those willing to help. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will help collect those much-needed supplies and get them to those who need them most. Please keep our Eastern Kentucky farm families and communities in your prayers."
The historic rain totals caused flooding, power outages, washed out roads and bridges and knocked homes off of their foundations.
With power outages and people displaced from their homes, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture are accepting donations to help those in need.
Donations needed:
- Bottled water
- Toiletries
- Non-perishable items
Collection site:
Kentucky Department of Agriculture, 105 Corporate Dr., Suite A, Frankfort
Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, through Aug. 5.
For questions, please call the KDA office at 502-573-0282.
Meanwhile, the Kentucky Farm Bureau's website is advising its insurance policyholders that it is handling claims as quickly as possible.
"If you have property damage as a result of these recent storms and you need to report a claim, please contact your local agent, call our claims hotline at 1-866-KFB-CLAIM (1-866-532-2524), or submit your first notice of loss inside the my.kyfb.com member portal," its website advices.
Categories: Kentucky, Rural Lifestyle