The emergency management director for Johnson County says flooding this week could equal that last seen in 1984.
Gary McClure said about 5 inches of rain fell over a 24-hour period in the eastern Kentucky region. No injuries have been reported, but boat crews were out doing swift water rescues. “We had numerous calls of people stranded in their vehicles, water coming in homes, people requesting to be evacuated,” said McClure.
McClure said with the end of rainfall came the end of flash flooding. But, he noted the Levisa fork of the Big Sandy River is expected to crest at 40 feet. Flood stage is 35 feet.
McClure said it’s too soon to determine the extent of residential damage. The EM director says numerous streets in Paintsville were closed, adding any travel was very limited Monday. McClure believes the business sector of downtown Paintsville will be spared flood damage. Governor Beshear has declared a state of emergency. By Monday morning, a total of 13 counties along with the cities of Paintsville and Salyersville had declared states of emergency.
Here's a conversation mid-morning Monday March 1st with Johnson County Emergency Management Director Gary McClure:
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