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Kentucky Division of Emergency Management
WEATHER EXPERTS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUE URGENT SAFETY MESSAGES
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 24, 2011) - The National Weather Service (NWS) Paducah
Office held an early evening conference call with emergency management
officials and media urging everyone to use extreme caution overnight and into
the coming week, as heavy rains and severe weather continue across the
Commonwealth.
Most of Kentucky has received three to four inches of rain today, with some
areas reporting much higher amounts. According to Kentucky Mesonet (a
weather data service), Draffenville, in Marshall County, KY received six
inches of rainfall since midnight.
A train of severe storms has moved across the state since last week, causing
damage from hail, high winds, tornadoes and heavy rains. Rainfall totals
during the overall period range from 10" - 15", resulting in flooded rivers,
streams and tributaries.
With additional rain and storms predicated over night and into next week,
National Weather Service officials expressed extreme concern over the
potential loss of life from flash flooding, especially during the overnight
hours this evening.
Officials say it is best to avoid travel during these conditions, but if you
must travel it is critical to never attempt to drive through flooded
roadways. If you encounter water over a roadway, STOP - TURN AROUND - DON'T
DROWN!
Do not allow children to play in flooded ditches or waterways.
Flood Warnings and Flood Advisories remain in effect along rivers and streams
throughout the Commonwealth due to the recent heavy rains and additional rain
in the forecast throughout the week and weekend. Residents that live or work
along rivers and waterways should continue to monitor levels and listen to
local media for updates and possess and monitor battery backup NOAA weather
alert radios for localized flooding notifications.
Please visit http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lmk to monitor
river and lake levels throughout Kentucky and those interested can sign up
for United States Geological Society's Water Alerts. Water Alert is an
application that allows you to receive updates at any of the sites where USGS
collects real-time water information. Daily or hourly updates are sent via
e-mail or text messages when the current conditions meet or surpass a
threshold of concern that you set. The site to sign up for USGS Water Alert
is http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert.
Rainfall amounts and climate data can be found at www.kymesonet.org .
Weather safety tips and weather alerts by county can be found on the KYEM
website at www.kyem.ky.gov.
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