This winter (December 1st through today) was been wetter and warmer than normal for the entire Commonwealth and the Ohio Valley. Recent rounds of soaking rain have elevated the potential for flooding each time it rains. Some parts of southeastern Kentucky have received about two times as much rain as they should over the past 30 days. The ground is so saturated. Each time it rains there is nowhere for the excess water to go and flooding occurs again.
The National Weather Service in Louisville issued their first spring hydrology statement. We are heading into spring 2020 with a well saturated ground and stream flows that are running well above-normal. The chances for minor or moderate flooding is above-normal over the next 90 days. Contributing factors are river levels, soil moisture, snow cover, and the 30- and 90-day outlooks for temperature and precipitation.
What do you need to know? If you live near a creek or river, or in a flood prone area, be prepared for the potential of more flooding this spring. The springtime is our wettest time of the year, and this spring's rainfall outlook is favoring wetter than normal.
