Kentucky, 1998

Flooding in Kentucky, April 17 to 21, 1998

April 17 to 21, 1998 · NWS JKL · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

Flash flooding that occurred on April 16 and 17 developed into widespread river flooding in the Kentucky River basin on the 17th. An intial crest occurred at most locations on the 17th or 18th, but additional heavy rains from the 18th into the 19th resulted in a second crest on either the 19th or 20th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 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
$1.7 million
Crop damage
$20,000
Events
8

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 JKL wrote it up.

Flash flooding that occurred on April 16 and 17 developed into widespread river flooding in the Kentucky River basin on the 17th. An intial crest occurred at most locations on the 17th or 18th, but additional heavy rains from the 18th into the 19th resulted in a second crest on either the 19th or 20th. Crests were 4.3 feet above flood stage at Jackson, 5 feet above flood stage at Booneville, and 5.5 feet above flood stage at Hazard. Numerous roads were flooded, and some homes and business were also affected by high water. In Hazard, Main Street had to be closed for a time on April 19. In Jackson, Panbowl Lake backed up, and flooded the basements and lower levels of several homes at Lakeside Estates.

The radar

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

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Event by event

8 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, Clay

When
April 17, 2:30 AM EST to April 21, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Property damage
$1.7 million
Crop damage
$20,000
Coordinates
37.160, -83.715 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Breathitt

When
April 17, 2:30 AM EST to April 21, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Breathitt forecast zone
Coordinates
37.522, -83.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Estill

When
April 17, 2:30 AM EST to April 21, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Estill forecast zone
Coordinates
37.693, -83.964 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Lee

When
April 17, 2:30 AM EST to April 21, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Coordinates
37.595, -83.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Leslie

When
April 17, 2:30 AM EST to April 21, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Leslie forecast zone
Coordinates
37.094, -83.381 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Letcher

When
April 17, 2:30 AM EST to April 21, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Letcher forecast zone
Coordinates
37.121, -82.855 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Owsley

When
April 17, 2:30 AM EST to April 21, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Owsley forecast zone
Coordinates
37.419, -83.683 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Perry

When
April 17, 2:30 AM EST to April 21, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Perry forecast zone
Coordinates
37.244, -83.221 (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 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, April 1998

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: 5642828, 5642829, 5642830, 5642831, 5642832, 5642833, 5642834, 5642835.