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Severe Flooding Hits Pikeville, Kentucky
Pikeville, a small town in eastern Kentucky with a population of about 7,000, is grappling with substantial flooding that has submerged much of the community, according to Mayor Jimmy Carter. The area has experienced intense rainfall, leading to numerous swift water rescues over the weekend as entire neighborhoods were inundated.
Heavy storms brought multiple inches of rain to eastern Kentucky, Pikeville included. Dramatic videos captured the extent of the flooding, showing streets completely covered with water. One particularly striking clip depicted church steps submerged, highlighting the severity of the situation in Pike County.
As of Monday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that at least 11 fatalities have been linked to weather-related incidents in the state.
Late Saturday night, monitoring stations reported that river levels at a site in the lower Bowles Addition soared to 38 feet, prompting the deployment of a flood gate. By Monday morning, local authorities indicated that river levels had decreased sufficiently to allow the opening of pond gates, though ongoing monitoring of water levels remains a priority.
Mayor Carter emphasized the severe impact on the Pikeville community, noting that since the flooding began, local firefighting teams have undertaken over 50 swift water rescues and handled more than 130 emergency calls. “Their dedication and professionalism in the face of this crisis have undoubtedly saved lives, and we owe them our deepest gratitude,” he remarked in a statement.
The mayor also pointed out that the flooding along the Levisa Fork has devastated numerous neighborhoods, particularly affecting nearly every home in the Lake View subdivision near Pikeville Commons. Additionally, homes adjacent to Pikeville High School have been severely damaged by the rising waters.
Aerial footage revealed that floodwaters had overtaken a substantial section of Pikeville High School‘s football field, which had been utilized as a temporary shelter but was later evacuated. The Pikeville Independent Schools posted on Facebook, stating that the facility faced considerable flooding, which has led to significant operational challenges.
The school district assured the community that a restoration team was on-site, working diligently to ensure safety and prepare for the return of students and staff. They emphasized the importance of patience as restoration efforts continue, amidst the goal of maintaining educational standards despite challenging circumstances.
Governor Beshear issued a warning on Monday about the ongoing peril from severe weather, urging residents to stay off roads where high water is present. Conditions in Pikeville and its surroundings remain precarious, prompting the National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky, to issue a winter storm watch that is set to remain in effect from Tuesday evening through Thursday morning.
This storm is expected to bring between 2 and 5 inches of snow to the region, contributing to the weather-related challenges that eastern Kentucky is currently facing. This system is projected to develop over the Central Plains before moving southeast and impacting the Mid-Atlantic by the end of the week.
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