Kentucky governor discusses flooding emergency

Days of unrelenting heavy rain and storms that killed at least 18 people worsened flooding as some rivers rose to near-record levels and inundated towns across an already saturated U.S. South and parts of the Midwest.

Cities ordered evacuations and rescue crews in inflatable boats checked on residents in Kentucky and Tennessee, while utilities shut off power and gas in a region stretching from Texas to Ohio.

“As long as I’ve been alive — and I’m 52 — this is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” said Wendy Quire, the general manager at the Brown Barrel restaurant in downtown Frankfort, Kentucky, the state capital built around the swollen Kentucky River.

“The rain just won’t stop,” Quire said Sunday. “It’s been nonstop for days and days.”

Officials diverted traffic and turned off utilities to businesses in the city as the river was expected to crest above 49 feet Monday to a record-setting level, said Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson. The city's flood wall system is designed to withstand 51 feet of water.

For many, there was a sense of dread that the worst was still to come.

“This flooding is an act of God,” said Kevin Gordon, a front desk clerk at the Ashbrook Hotel in downtown Frankfort. The hotel was offering discounted stays to affected locals.

[Schnauzermom]

Wow, I couldn't believe you mentioned Lockport such a small community on the Kentucky River, I grew up there as a child, my dad preached at the Baptist Church.

[KathyMarschner-fjuq]

I'm sorry for all the damage. I hope you are a red state so you get help

[vanessaamous]

I want you all to to be careful and safe love 😍 always Vanessa Amous and I just had prayed for you all to God and asked God to keep you all safe Amen

[mistsofjade]

Strange how the coal mines are flooding out huh? Strange about what cities what are going to be 15 mun cities too? Lots if lines as well all over theirs and here in Tennessee too before the storms...🤨🧐🫢🤫🤫🤔

[TheBriarWolf]

This guy hasn’t done crap. The only government we’ve seen out here are the friggin road workers closing off roads that are passable while they ignore clearing the drains or even shutting down the flooded roads. It’s the dumbest crap you’ve ever seen. This numbnut staged PR in my town after the tornadoes came out through (Mayfield). Literally had a van of people get out with a bicycle for a kid and had the media film the kid riding down the sidewalk infront of our destroyed house. I will never forget that crap!

[stevem-he]

Where's Felony Don and his hillbilly sidekick?

[Angel-nu]

Wow. Where was the president? Playing golf? That's too bad.