Kentucky, 1997

Flooding in Kentucky, March 1, 1997

March 1, 1997 · NWS LMK · 7 events in 7 counties and zones

Widespread flooding and/or flash flooding occurred as a result of 4 to 8 inches of rainfall in less than 24 hours. Numerous roads were water covered and closed across these counties and many homes and businesses were effected.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$1.5 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
7

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LMK wrote it up.

Widespread flooding and/or flash flooding occurred as a result of 4 to 8 inches of rainfall in less than 24 hours. Numerous roads were water covered and closed across these counties and many homes and businesses were effected. All of these counties were declared federal disaster areas eligible for financial aid. Damage estimates include flash flooding from early March 1 through early March 2.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

7 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, Butler

When
March 1, 3:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Butler forecast zone
Coordinates
37.207, -86.682 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Edmonson

When
March 1, 3:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Edmonson forecast zone
Coordinates
37.209, -86.239 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Grayson

When
March 1, 3:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Grayson forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Coordinates
37.461, -86.344 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Hart

When
March 1, 3:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Hart forecast zone
Coordinates
37.300, -85.885 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Logan

When
March 1, 3:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Logan forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Coordinates
36.860, -86.879 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Simpson

When
March 1, 3:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Simpson forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Coordinates
36.742, -86.582 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Warren

When
March 1, 3:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where
Warren forecast zone
Coordinates
36.994, -86.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Kentucky in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, March 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5596580, 5596581, 5596582, 5596583, 5596584, 5596585, 5596586.