Weekend rain in Kentucky resulted in flooding that killed two people.
This follows several storms in the South and Midwest that led to a dozen deaths. In Kentucky, two of its rivers, the Kentucky and Green, have flooded over. According to the National Weather Service, the Green River is still under a major flood warning as of Monday morning.
One of the reported deaths in Kentucky was Gabriel Andrews, 9, who was walking to a bus stop Friday morning when a flash flood swept him away. Police found Andrews’s body two hours after they learned of the incident.
“My heart breaks for this family,” Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) wrote of Andrews on X. “We need everyone to understand that all water poses a risk right now. Let’s do everything possible to keep our loved ones safe.”
Franklin County School District, where Andrews attended, opted to stay open Friday despite flood warnings in the area. Monday was the start of the district’s spring break, so classes won’t be in session all week.
On Sunday, Kentucky Emergency Management continued to warn residents that the Kentucky River could rise to 49.5 feet of flooding. The agency encouraged those who lived near the river to evacuate and avoid driving in water.
The Dix Dam in Burgin, Kentucky, had a controlled spill procedure in which it opened six of its gates, and they remained open as of Sunday evening in response to the flooding. Officials expected to close more gates before Monday morning.
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The Ohio, Big Muddy, and Little Wabash rivers in neighboring states are also under flood warnings. According to the National Weather Service, flooding could peak in these rivers later in the week.
In addition to the inclement weather, western Kentucky and neighboring Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri are under a freeze warning through Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to drop to somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit.