Flash Flood in Kentucky, August 3 to 4, 2001

High water from the areas worst flash flooding in years took its toll on area roads, bridges and homes. Extensive damage resulted in the county, making it one of five in the area to be classified as a Presidentially declared disaster area. Up to 1200 homes were affected by the flash flood. All of the Left Beaver and Mud Creek area from Martin south to the end of the county was the hardest hit. Most of the southern part of the county was without commercial utilities for several days after the flash flood.Several shelters were opened and more than 50 people stayed at the Mud Creek Senior Center, more were housed at Allen Central High School and other locations. Officials reported that Kentucky Highway 979 suffered severe damage. A 2 mile stretch of road along Mud Creek was completely washed out, there was no evidence of the road after waters receded. Road and bridge damage was too numerous to mention individually. A 68 year old man had to be rescued from his truck on Tinker Fork Creek. He was trapped inside the vehicle from 10:30 pm until 3:30 am when the water got so high it forced him to swim out the back window. Rescuers were able to get a rope around his waist and pull him up a cliff to safety. He received some sore muscles but was otherwise uninjured.Two months after the event several roads were still under repair. The 2 mile stretch along Mud Creek was still not repaired and residents were using the creek bed as a road to reach their residences.