Eastern Kentucky is under flood watch this weekend as heavy rain moves through the area.
The National Weather Service says two to four inches of rain, including thunderstorms, are expected Saturday and Sunday. That could mean higher river levels, flash floods and areal floods.
Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency. The Kentucky Emergency Operations Center and the National Guard are on alert.
As of Friday morning, the weather is expected to shift northward, away from the headwaters of the Cumberland, Kentucky and Big Sandy Rivers. NWS meteorologist Chuck Greif says that means more severe flooding could be avoided.
“We're now thinking we can back off some of the worst case scenarios, and hopefully we'll just see some moderate rises on the rivers,” Greif said. “And probably a couple will still get into flood, but we're not looking at the potential of near-record flood in some of the cases.”
Greif says that situation could still change, and to be aware of the forecast as the weekend continues.
“If your phone is on, just have it near you,” Greif said. “And if you get an alert and a warning, be prepared. If you have to seek higher ground, go ahead and do that. If you need to get away from the river and creek, that's definitely the right course of action.”
A cold air mass Sunday could also cause water on the ground to freeze, alongside some snowfall.
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