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Remnants of Tropical Storm Helene could move into Kentucky, help lessen drought

Plenty of recent rain has left Kentucky drought-free for the first time since May 9 of last year.
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Plenty of recent rain has left Kentucky drought-free for the first time since May 9 of last year.

The National Weather Service predicts strong storms in Kentucky through this week and the weekend. It could help alleviate a statewide drought.

The state climatologist’s office and Energy and Environment Cabinet formally issued a Level 1 Drought Declaration Monday. Parts of western and central Kentucky are particularly affected.

Tropical Storm Helena is expected to touch down in Florida as a Hurricane Thursday.

National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Reaugh says remnants of the storm could move further inland.

“A lot of our money is on Helene, the storm that's forming over the Gulf of Mexico as we speak, hoping that'll come up into the Ohio Valley and give us some rain,” Reaugh said. “We had Francine come ashore into Louisiana a couple weeks ago, and that moved north and brought us some rain.”

Reaugh warns heavy rain could cause flooding issues, and to keep cautious around the end of the week.

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Shepherd joined WEKU in June 2023 as a staff reporter. He most recently worked for West Virginia Public Broadcasting as General Assignment Reporter. In that role, he collected interviews and captured photos in the northern region of West Virginia. Shepherd holds a master’s degree in Digital Marketing Communication and a bachelor’s in music from West Virginia University.
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