Steady rains cause flooding issues in parts of Whitley County

Steady rains since Sunday and rising floodwater forced the cancellation of school in Whitley and Knox counties Tuesday morning, and resulted in several road closures throughout Whitley County.

Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. said that the county sustained flash flooding Monday due to heavy rains, but by Tuesday major streams and rivers began seeing regular floodwaters.

About 5:30 a.m., the Whitley County school system alerted parents and staff via its one call automated phone system that school had been cancelled due to flooding and rising water.

White said areas like Poplar Creek School Road, River Road, Mud Lane, Mossy Gap, Dal Road and various state highways, like Highway 1804, were at least partially underwater Tuesday morning, and expected to remain so most of the day.

"We have crews out putting up flagging tape and putting up cones and markers trying to keep people from running into the water," White added.

About 7 a.m., Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies, constables, and South Whitley Volunteer firefighters responded to Highway 1804 after a woman became stranded after driving her car into high water on her way to work, and was rescued. The woman was sitting on top of her car when rescuers arrived.

Williamsburg Fire Chief James Privett said that aside from normal flood prone areas, such as Briar Creek Park and Three-Point, there hasn’t been much flooding in or around the city.

According to the National Weather Service, the Cumberland River was expected to crest Tuesday afternoon at about 25.3 feet, and then to slowly recede Tuesday evening. This crest compares to a previous crest of 24.6 feet on Dec. 2, 2010.

White advised people driving around high water to use caution, and when in doubt to err on the side of caution.

"Certainly don’t go through areas that are flooded," White said. "If there is a dip in the road, you can have a whole car submerged before you realize it. It all looks level when it is under water. It can be a fairly dangerous circumstance."

Very wet year

White said that part of the problem with recent flooding has been caused by a very wet year overall.

"We are probably looking like this is going to be the wettest year in the history of Kentucky," White noted. "The last projections I saw, we had the third or fourth wettest season ever. We have a month left and it is usually a wet month.

"We are just three or four inches away from the wettest year ever. It looks like we will easily surpass that from what I have seen."

White said county road crews have worked hard to reduce the impact that high water has in Whitley County.

"The road crews have worked really hard this year installing and upsizing different tiles in different areas where flooding occurred," White said. "We have seen a decrease in the call volume when we get these type of rains because of that work they have been putting in all year.

"They are out working again today trying to find problem areas where they will respond back once waters recede."
Heavy rain all year hampered those efforts though.

"You can’t change a tile when it is overflowing and there is water running through. You have to wait for better weather conditions," White added. "The rain has really exposed some of the weaknesses in the drainage system throughout the county both on state and county roads. They are not designed to handle the wettest year ever. They are designed for what normal water flows are, and this year we have far exceeded that."