Cities in Indiana and Kentucky have experienced record flooding over the last couple of weeks just after a tornado outbreak hit several cities in Louisville, Ky, and surrounding communities. A storm system that stretched from the Gulf of Mexico into the upper Midwest stalled, sending heavy rains into Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
The Ohio River rose to record levels not seen since 1997, reaching 36.63 feet near downtown Louisville, making it the eighth highest on record. The flood of 1937 still remains the worst flood event in recorded history for the Ohio River, with an estimated 350 dead and nearly 1,000,000 homeless, according to the National Weather Service.
The flooding event submerged or partially submerged towns that border the river, including the cities of Utica, Indiana, and Westport, Kentucky. Many of the community’s residents packed up and left ahead of time before flooding became dangerous. Residents in these two cities are used to flooding in Ohio, and we’re well prepared to leave.
Several other rivers in the region also experienced significant flooding, including the Kentucky River in Frankfort. The river rose to near-record levels, inundating the state capital, washing away homes, and flooding businesses like the Buffalo Trace Distillery. “According to WLWT, general manager Tyler Adams stated that inspections are underway at the warehouses to assess whether any Bourbon barrels were compromised by the flood. According to Governor Andy Bashir of Kentucky, close to 150 people were rescued, and over 200 were evacuated by boat.
The mayor of Louisville, Craig Greenberg, at a press conference downtown near the flood waters today, announced a 5-million-dollar cleanup of the area to take place before the Kentucky Derby on May 3rd: “We have 22 days until the Kentucky Derby when the eyes of the world will be on Louisville,” Greenberg said. “I am confident our plan will ensure the flood-damaged areas of our city are restored and beautiful again by the first Saturday in May.
Cities along the Ohio River, like Cincinnati, Ohio, saw flood waters rise not seen in 30 years, according to The Enquirer. The river crested at 60.79 feet, according to the National Water Prediction Service, levels not seen since the 1997 flood. City Officials are looking at cleanup lasting as long as two weeks for the affected areas of the city, including water damage and debris at the Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds
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