Kentucky, 1998

Flooding in Kentucky, April 17 to 24, 1998

April 17 to 24, 1998 · NWS JKL · 7 events in 7 counties and zones

Flash flooding on April 16 and 17 developed into widespread river flooding in the Cumberland River basin on April 17. On the Cumberland River an initial crest occurred at most locations on April 17 or 18, but additional heavy rain on April 18 and 19 brought a second higher crest on April 19, 20, or 21.

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
$500,000
Crop damage
$10,000
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 JKL wrote it up.

Flash flooding on April 16 and 17 developed into widespread river flooding in the Cumberland River basin on April 17. On the Cumberland River an initial crest occurred at most locations on April 17 or 18, but additional heavy rain on April 18 and 19 brought a second higher crest on April 19, 20, or 21. Crests were 2.8 feet above flood stage at Baxter, 10.7 feet above flood stage at Pineville, 14 feet above flood stage at Fourmile, 9.3 feet above flood stage at Barbourville, and 9.7 feet above flood stage at Williamsburg. Numerous roads were flooded, and numerous homes were affected by flood waters.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, Bell

When
April 17, 6:45 AM EST to April 24, 2:00 PM EST
Where
Bell forecast zone
Coordinates
36.731, -83.674 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Harlan

When
April 17, 6:45 AM EST to April 24, 2:00 PM EST
Where
Harlan forecast zone
Coordinates
36.857, -83.218 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Knox

When
April 17, 6:45 AM EST to April 24, 2:00 PM EST
Where
Knox forecast zone
Coordinates
36.891, -83.854 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Laurel

When
April 17, 6:45 AM EST to April 24, 2:00 PM EST
Where
Laurel forecast zone
Coordinates
37.111, -84.118 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, McCreary

When
April 17, 6:45 AM EST to April 24, 2:00 PM EST
Where
McCreary forecast zone
Coordinates
36.737, -84.484 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Pulaski

When
April 17, 6:45 AM EST to April 24, 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pulaski forecast zone
Coordinates
37.104, -84.577 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Whitley

When
April 17, 6:45 AM EST to April 24, 2:00 PM EST
Where
Whitley forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Crop damage
$10,000
Coordinates
36.758, -84.145 (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: 5642836, 5642837, 5642838, 5642928, 5642929, 5642930, 5642931.