A prolonged period of light to moderate rain led to flooding across portions of eastern Kentucky, particularly southeastern Kentucky, beginning during the overnight hours of Friday, February 9 into Saturday, February 10, 2018. 5 inches of rain fell across eastern Kentucky.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS JKL wrote it up.
A prolonged period of light to moderate rain led to flooding across portions of eastern Kentucky, particularly southeastern Kentucky, beginning during the overnight hours of Friday, February 9 into Saturday, February 10, 2018. This occurred along and ahead of a slow moving frontal boundary as generally between 1.5 and 4.5 inches of rain fell across eastern Kentucky. The hardest hit area was Harlan County, where flooding occurred across much of the county as up to 5.5 inches of rain fell. A state of emergency was declared as the Cumberland River at Baxter reached major flood stage, prompting the closure of all of the city of Harlan's floodgates. The floodgate for the city of Pikeville was also closed as the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River breached 38 feet. Additional emergency declarations were made in Bell, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, and Perry Counties, as well as for the city of Pineville, as numerous tributaries and the main stems of the Kentucky, Cumberland, and Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy Rivers exceeded bankfull.
Nearly 2,200 power outages were blamed on the widespread flooding, while thousands of boil water advisories were issued as shelters were opened to provide water. Several bridges were also inspected by engineers for structural integrity as the flood waters receded. A number of water rescues took place during the weekend and into Monday morning, including nearly half a dozen in and around Hazard. Hundreds of people were forced from their homes as river flooding along portions of the Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers continued well into the following week. In addition, the saturated ground led to several landslides and mudslides, including one along Kentucky Highway 74 near Middlesboro.
Maximum storm total rainfall amounts from various eastern Kentucky rain gauges (by county) were as follows:
February 10-11, 2018 Maximum Rainfall Totals (3 inches +)
...Bell County Gauges...|Middlesboro AWOS 4.54 inches|Yellow Creek RAWS 3.45 inches|Meldrum Stream Gauge 5.00 inches|Pineville River Gauge 4.32 inches|Arjay IFLOWS 4.25 inches
...Harlan County Gauges...|Harlan 3S 4.71 inches|Harlan 3N Coop 4.60 inches|Harlan 24E Mesonet 5.59 inches|Cumberland River Gauge 4.27 inches|Lloyal River Gauge 4.92 inches|Cranks Creek Lake Gauge 4.82 inches|Big Black IFLOWS 4.14 inches |Evarts IFLOWS 3.76 inches |Cumberland IFLOWS 4.08 inches
...Knott County Gauges...|Hindman 5N 4.11 inches
...Knox County Gauges...|Barbourville Water Coop 3.66 inches|Barbourville 3E Mesonet 4.11 inches|Barbourville River Gauge 3.72 inches|Artemus IFLOWS 3.92 inches |Dewitt IFLOWS 4.48 inches |Helton Branch IFLOWS 3.55 inches |Johnson Hollow IFLOWS 3.03 inches |Pidgeon Fork IFLOWS 3.88 inches
...Leslie County Gauges...|Hyden River Gauge 3.77 inches
...Letcher County Gauges...|Whitesburg 2NW 3.43 inches|Whitesburg 2SE Coop 3.81 inches|Skyline Coop 3.52 inches|Whitesburg 2NW Mesonet 3.43 inches|Whitesburg River Gauge 3.65 inches
...McCreary County Gauges...|Whitley City 3N 3.48 inches|Stearns Coop 3.76 inches |Whitley City 3N Mesonet 3.47 inches|Stearns River Gauge 4.00 inches
...Perry County Gauges...|Hazard Water Plant Coop 3.65 inches|Viper 0.5N COCORAHS 3.43 inches|Hazard River Gauge 3.44 inches
...Pike County Gauges...|Pikeville 13S Mesonet 3.44 inches|Fishtrap Lake Gauge 3.01 inches|Virgie Gauge 3.20 inches|Elkhorn City River Gauge 3.54 inches|Myra IFLOWS 3.38 inches |Virgie IFLOWS 3.34 inches |Beefhide IFLOWS 3.59 inches.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Jackson, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 10, 3:41 PM EST, 1 hour 19 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Jackson KY 341 PM EST Sat Feb 10 2018 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday) Issued at 315 PM EST SAT FEB 10 2018 The latest surface analysis shows the front has worked into portions of central and northern KY, with the strong indication based on the Kentucky Mesonet winds and temperatures. A mesoscale low is located across middle TN and will ride north along and near the boundary. The better QPE has been in the Cumberland Valley and far southeast closer to the boundary layer convergence zone that showed up well on WSR-88D radar earlier. Overall the trends have shown less support for the 12Z NAM solution and other short term model solutions that showed zone of higher QPF further northwest, but opted not to make too many changes in relation to QPF given some remaining uncertainty. However, this does lead to more confidence on lesser precip in the far north where the watch was not issued. In terms, of tonight think models are in good agreement in seeing another area of low pressure ride north and provide several more shots of rain across portions of eastern Kentucky. The more robust QPE will most likely reside in the far southeast and Cumberland Valley regions based on where the front in expected to setup. Now as we move into Sunday the QPE will trail off through the day as the boundary slowly pushes to the southeast by Sunday afternoon. The temperature forecast will remain somewhat difficult as a result of the surface boundary and leaned toward the blends for help with that. The coldest temperatures tonight will reside in the lower 40s north of I-64 tonight compared to lower 50s south of the Mountain Parkway. As for overall QPF, continued to lean toward the model blend in coordination with surrounding offices. This will still lead to the potential of 1 to 2 plus inches of additional rainfall south of the Mountain Parkway through 18Z Sun with amounts trailing off to the north of the parkway. .LONG TERM...(Sunday night through Saturday) Issued at 341 PM EST SAT FEB 10 2018 The cold front will be through eastern Kentucky Sunday evening, leaving a post-frontal upslope regime in place as surface ridging builds across the upper Midwest and approaches the Ohio Valley. Saturated low-mid levels will keep precipitation lingering into the night as rain transitions to a mix with sleet and then snow. Not keen on the idea of freezing rain in this pattern as temperatures aloft will likely not lag as far behind surface temperatures as model soundings suggest. Could still see some freezing of lingering moisture on elevated surfaces, but precipitation should go from rain to frozen hydrometeors. Snowfall amounts currently look to fall in the 1/2 inch range across the Bluegrass. Precipitation will then likely convert back to a little rain Monday afternoon as moisture hangs up along the Appalachians with an upper impulse lingering and gradually shearing out. Surface ridging translating across the Great Lakes will keep the recent cool dome in place across the Ohio Valley into early Tuesday as return flow sets up downstream of an approaching northern stream wave. This will bring a renewed round of rain chances back to much of eastern Kentucky, with near/below freezing surface temperatures potentially leading to some freezing rain prior to a stout warmup into the 50s. Zonal to slight southwest flow then looks to materialize into mid- late week as longwave troughing spans Canada, coupled with an upper low near Baja and ridging across the Gulf of Mexico. Specifics regarding evolution/placement of these synoptic features will ultimately drive local sensible weather. Warm and unsettled conditions do look to generally be on tap Wednesday and Thursday as a slug of moisture advects northeast from the western Gulf of Mexico. Temperatures currently look to top out in the 60s for most locales both days, with at least a minor cooldown for the end of the week as northern stream troughing attempts to make better headway south as colder air digs in on its backside. The looming Desert CONUS low will however keep precipitation chances in the offing into next weekend as deep layer southwest flow returns with its eastward advance. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon) ISSUED AT 1241 PM EST SAT FEB 10 2018 MVFR conditions will be the main condition for CIGS and/or VIS to start the period. Although, the TAFs will be tough to nail down and will likely see quick improvement and deterioration at times. The overall progression will be toward IFR or lower as we move through the afternoon and evening with frontal boundary remaining nearby. The winds will be light for the period starting out of the south for all of the area, but as the front sags southeast north winds will sneak into the Bluegrass tonight. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Sunday afternoon for KYZ058>060-068-069-079- 080-083>088-104-106>120. && SHORT TERM...DJ LONG TERM...GUSEMAN AVIATION...DJ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson KY 346 PM EST Sat Feb 10 2018 KYZ058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120-120000- Estill-Powell-Menifee-Rockcastle-Jackson-Pulaski-Laurel-Wayne- McCreary-Whitley-Knox-Bell-Harlan-Elliott-Morgan-Johnson-Wolfe- Magoffin-Floyd-Lee-Breathitt-Knott-Owsley-Perry-Clay-Leslie- Letcher-Martin-Pike- Including the cities of Irvine, Ravenna, Clay City, Stanton, Frenchburg, Brodhead, Mount Vernon, McKee, Annville, Burnside, Somerset, London, Monticello, Stearns, Whitley City, Corbin, Williamsburg, Barbourville, Middlesboro, Pineville, Cumberland, Harlan, Sandy Hook, West Liberty, Paintsville, Campton, Salyersville, Prestonsburg, Wheelwright, Beattyville, Jackson, Hindman, Pippa Passes, Booneville, Hazard, Manchester, Hyden, Jenkins, Whitesburg, Inez, Coal Run, Elkhorn City, Pikeville, and South Williamson 346 PM EST Sat Feb 10 2018 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Several rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall are possible across the area tonight. Rises on creeks and streams to bankfull or into flood by late this evening and tonight are possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall are possible through midday on Sunday. This excessive rainfall, combined with already saturated soils, could lead to rises to bankfull or to flood along area creeks and streams. Larger river flooding is also anticipated from this rainfall into the upcoming week, especially for portions of the Kentucky and Cumberland River basins. Snow and sleet are possible Sunday night into Monday morning, mainly along and northwest of a Somerset to Jackson to Paintsville line. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. KYZ044-050>052-120000- Fleming-Montgomery-Bath-Rowan- Including the cities of Flemingsburg, Camargo, Jeffersonville, Mount Sterling, Owingsville, and Morehead 346 PM EST Sat Feb 10 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Rounds of moderate to heavy rain are possible today and tonight. This rain, combined with already saturated soils, could lead to rises on area creeks and streams. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. A round of moderate rainfall is possible through Sunday morning. The rainfall already received, combined with already saturated soils, could lead to rises on area creeks, streams, and rivers. Snow and sleet are possible Sunday night into Monday morning. Light freezing rain is possible on Monday night and early on Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated. JP/DJ
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
22 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous roads in Cranks, Evarts, and Harlan and elsewhere around the county were closed or impassable due to flooding. A written state of emergency was declared for Harlan County during the height of the flooding.
Heavy rain caused flooding along Buckfield Branch near Shelby Creek in the vicinity of the Robinson Creek community.
Numerous roads were flooded in and around Pineville and Middlesboro including: Old Pineville Pike in Middlesboro, Highway's 2013 and 1534 in Pineville, Highway 221 at mile marker 9 in Stoney Fork and the intersection of 17th Street and Cumberland Ave in Middlesboro. A water rescue had to be performed 4 miles west northwest of Pineville at Magnet Hollow on Kentucky Highway 92 after a motorist drove into a flooded roadway. There was several feet of water across portions of Old Bell High Road near Pineville. Flooding also caused a mudslide on Kentucky Highway 74 near Middlesboro. The road was closed for around 2 weeks to clear the mudslide and repair the road.
Water was covering Mud Lick Road near Beverly.
Both broadcast media and the public reported that flood waters had tore a culvert out of the ground on Levis Branch Road in Smilax, and that a city park in Hyden was flooded due to overflow of the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River in that area.
Two to three inches of water were observed flowing across mainly the eastbound lane of Highway 635.
A portion of Highway 92 was closed due to high water.
The following roads were partially blocked throughout the county due to flooding: KY 3153, KY 3439, KY 225, KY 11, KY 223, KY 1527, and KY 459. Kentucky Highway 459 at Wynn Hollow Road was impassable due to flooding (broadcast media).
Highway 699 was closed due to high water.
A water rescue had to be performed in Bonnyman on Typo Road. Four individuals and pets were trapped inside a home after it had become surrounded by 4 feet of water after First Creek overtopped its banks. A water rescue also had to be performed on Cherokee Hills Road in Hazard after a man drove his car into the north fork of the swollen Kentucky River.
Two feet of water were observed flowing across portions of KY 122 near Bucks Branch.
A portion of Highway 476 was flooded near Lost Creek due to Troublesome Creek coming out of its banks. A portion of Wolverine Road was flooded due to the North Fork of the Kentucky River overflowing its banks. Kentucky Highway 541 was under water near Jackson. A car was stranded in the flood water near the Kentucky Mountain Bible College in this same location.
Many roads in and around Cumberland were covered with water, including Main Street near Highway 119. A written state of emergency was declared for Harlan County during the height of the flooding.
Running flood waters covered a portion of Highway 3406 at the bottom fork of Mayking.
Flood waters covered a portion of Kentucky Highway 7 near Isom.
Kentucky Highway 160 was closed through Lynch due to flooding. A written state of emergency was declared for Harlan County during the height of the flooding.
Kentucky Highway 7 was under water near Old Indian Bottom Church outside of Blackey.
Walters Road off Chloe Creek was impassable due to high water.
A portion of Kentucky Highway 52 near downtown Beattyville was flooded due to the north fork of the Kentucky River overflowing its banks.
Toms Creek was inundated by flood waters.
A horse farm was washed out by the flooded Levisa Fork.
The Powell Edition Horse Stable was inundated by flood waters just off Highway 23 as you turn into Van Lear.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, February 2018
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: 730470, 733321, 733314, 733315, 733316, 733317, 733318, 733319, 733320, 735052, 735053, 735058, 730471, 736261, 736262, 730472, 735056, 733323, 735059, 735054, 735055, 735057.