Flash Flooding and Flooding in Kentucky, May 3 to 8, 2010

The Cumberland River rose rapidly as releases from Barkley Dam were increased to record levels. River levels rose at the rate of about one foot per hour. The tailwater elevation below the dam rose to around 350 feet. About a dozen residences were flooded, and about 10 others were evacuated because they were isolated by floodwaters. Vehicles and other equipment were damaged or destroyed by the rapidly rising floodwaters. The communities that were heavily affected were Iuka and the east side of Lake City. Sandbagging efforts helped avert damage to a few homes. A couple of houses on the outskirts of Tiline were flooded. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A number of roads were closed, including most of State Route 917 and State Route 93 near Iuka. A state of emergency was declared in the county. A Red Cross shelter was opened in Grand Rivers for displaced residents.

The Cumberland River rose rapidly as releases from Barkley Dam were increased to record levels. The river rose about one foot per hour, peaking around 350 feet at Barkley Dam. A few residences were flooded, and others were evacuated because they were isolated by floodwaters. Most of the houses that were affected were in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 62 immediately below the dam. Sandbagging efforts helped minimize damage to a couple homes. One house was surrounded by over 5,000 sandbags. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A number of roads were closed. A state of emergency was declared in the county.

The Cumberland River rose rapidly as releases from Barkley Dam were increased to record levels. About a dozen residences were flooded in Dycusburg, and others were evacuated because they were isolated by floodwaters. The community that was primarily affected was Dycusburg. Water was two to three feet deep in some homes. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A few roads were closed, including State Route 295 at Dycusburg.

The Cumberland River remained steady at very high levels as releases from Barkley Dam were maintained near record levels. About a dozen residences stayed flooded, and others remained vacant because they were isolated by floodwaters. The community that was primarily affected was Dycusburg. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A few roads were closed, including State Route 295 at Dycusburg.

The Cumberland River remained steady at very high levels as releases from Barkley Dam were maintained near record levels. About a dozen residences stayed flooded, and others remained vacant because they were isolated by floodwaters. The communities that were heavily affected were Iuka, Lake City, and Tiline. Most of the flooded residences were in the Lake City area, where water was up to the windows of some houses. Iuka, a community of about 35 residents, was essentially an island surrounded by floodwaters. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. Livestock rescue efforts were conducted around Iuka. A number of roads were closed, including State Routes 917 and 93. The Coast Guard closed the Cumberland River to all boating traffic.

The Cumberland River remained at very high levels as releases from Barkley Dam were maintained near record levels. A few residences stayed flooded, and others were vacant because they were isolated by floodwaters. Most of the houses that were affected were in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 62 immediately below the dam. There was extensive flooding of fields and woods. A number of roads were closed, including State Route 917. The Coast Guard closed the river to all boating traffic.

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of lakeshore docking facilities, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Many lakeshore resorts and campgrounds were closed due to flooding of their facilities. Marinas on the lake were closed, and some docks were damaged. Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park experienced flooding of low-lying areas, including breakwaters. The Coast Guard closed parts of Kentucky Lake to all recreational boating.

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of lakeshore docking facilities, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Marinas were closed, and some docks were damaged. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. The Coast Guard closed much of the lake to recreational boating.

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of lakeshore docking facilities, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Most trails, roads, and camping facilities in the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area were closed. The Coast Guard closed large parts of Kentucky Lake to recreational boating.

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of lakeshore docking facilities, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Hillman Ferry Campground within the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area experienced considerable flooding. Dozens of campsites were underwater, and a couple of roads were inundated. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Most trails, roads, and camping facilities in the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area were closed. Large parts of the lake were closed to recreational boating per order of the Coast Guard.

High water levels on Kentucky Lake caused flooding of a marina, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Large parts of Kentucky Lake were closed to recreational boating by order of the Coast Guard.

High water levels on Lake Barkley caused flooding of marinas, boat ramps, and lake access roads. At Lake Barkley Marina, there was considerable damage to docks. Nine or ten roads were closed in the Linton area. A few houses in the Linton area were isolated by the swollen lake. No homes were threatened, but some lakeside residents were forced to detour around flooded roads. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Most trails, roads, and camping facilities in the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area were closed. The lake was closed to recreational boating by order of the Coast Guard.

High water levels on Lake Barkley caused flooding of marinas, boat ramps, and lake access roads. Sandbagging was needed to protect a building at the Kuttawa Harbor Marina. All marinas on the lake were closed. Lake Barkley was closed to recreational boating by order of the Coast Guard. Water backed up into bays and tributary creeks, causing flooding inland from the lake. Most trails, roads, and camping facilities in the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area were closed.