Flooding in Kentucky, March 1 to 17, 2018

Moderate flooding continued along the Ohio River from late February. At the Owensboro river gage, the river crested at 47.3 feet on February 28th. Flood stage there is 40 feet. Panther Creek flooded extensively due to backwater flooding from the Ohio River, which forced isolated evacuations of residents in the area of Pettit. Panther Creek covered parts of U.S. Highway 431 and surrounded a few major businesses such as a home improvement store. Highway 81 was closed at the Panther Creek bridge. A downtown riverside park and parts of Water Street in Owensboro were flooded. Countywide, dozens of county roads and close to 12 state roads were closed. U.S. Highway 60 was closed near the Henderson County line.

Moderate flooding occurred along the Ohio River. The river crested very early in March. Tributary creeks flooded extensively due to backwater flooding from the Ohio River. Countywide, numerous county roads and some state roads were closed. U.S. Highway 60 was closed near the Spottsville bridge and the Daviess County line.

Moderate flooding occurred on the Ohio River. At J.T. Myers Lock and Dam near Uniontown, the river crested at 52.96 feet late on the evening of the 3rd. Flood stage is 37 feet. This crest was about one foot lower than the Flood of March, 1997. A small number of homes were evacuated. Numerous roads were closed, including 10 state highways. Highway 60 was covered by water near the Henderson County line, but the road remained open. Tributaries that flow into the Ohio River backed up, causing serious flooding miles away from the Ohio. Extensive flooding of cropland occurred, but agricultural damage was very limited because most crops were not yet planted.

Moderate flooding continued along the Ohio River from late February. The river crested very early in March. Tributaries such as the Tradewater River flooded extensively due to backwater flooding from the Ohio River. Flooding of the Tradewater River forced a couple of state roads to close. Countywide, numerous county roads and some state roads were closed. There were about ten state road closures. The Cave-In-Rock ferry connecting Illinois and Kentucky was closed due to flooding. Schools opened one hour late on some days during the flooding.

Major flooding continued on the Ohio River from late February. At the Smithland Lock and Dam, the river crested at 50.14 feet on the 2nd. Flood stage is 40 feet. This crest was a little over a foot lower than the Flood of March, 1997. Several homes were evacuated in the county. Numerous roads were flooded and closed, including several state roads. The flooding threatened some parts of Smithland, where a large sandbagging operation was conducted. Highway 137 was flooded and closed from Highway 60 through the Birdsville area.

Moderate flooding continued on the Ohio River from late February. At the Paducah river gage, the river crested at 51.43 feet on the 2nd. Flood stage is 39 feet. This crest was just several inches lower than the Flood of March, 1997. A number of homes were evacuated in the county, including an area along Highway 1420 west of Paducah. This area is affected by backwater flooding of Massac Creek, which prompted the closure of Highways 1420 and 305. Numerous other roads were flooded and closed, mainly county roads. The floodgates were installed in the floodwall protecting the city of Paducah. Parks, roads, and boat ramps that were not protected by the floodwall were inundated.

Moderate flooding continued on the Ohio River from late February. A small number of homes were evacuated. Numerous roads were flooded and closed. The U.S. Highway 51/60/62 bridge connecting Wickliffe, KY and Cairo, IL was closed for about a week. This required motorists to use an eighty-mile long detour using the Interstate 24 bridge at Paducah.

Moderate flooding continued on the Mississippi River from late February. Low-lying bottomland parks, boat ramps, and some roads were flooded and closed. Water spilled across U.S. Highway 51 south of Wickliffe near the Carlisle County line, but the road was still open.

Moderate flooding continued on the Mississippi River from late February. Extensive flooding of low-lying bottomlands occurred. Numerous county roads were closed.

Moderate flooding continued on the Mississippi River from late February. At New Madrid, Missouri, the river crested at 41.4 feet on March 5, well above the flood stage of 34 feet. Bottomland roads and cropland were submerged. The cropland was mostly dormant this early in the season.

Moderate flooding continued on the Mississippi River from late February. At New Madrid, Missouri, the river crested at 41.4 feet on March 5, well above the flood stage of 34 feet. A Hickman city police officer perished after attempting to drive through a flooded area on the night of March 2. The 45-year-old male was seen on the roof of his submerged patrol SUV shortly before being swept away with the vehicle. The victim and his vehicle were recovered from a flooded field early on the morning of March 3. Floodgates were raised at Hickman to protect the city. However, bottomland roads and cropland outside the floodwall were submerged. The cropland was mostly dormant this early in the season. Kentucky Highway 94 was closed in the bottomlands west of Hickman, along with several other state roads. The Dorena, MO to Hickman, KY ferry was closed due to the fast river currents and water over roads.

Moderate flooding continued on the Green River from late February. Some local roads were closed, and considerable flooding of low-lying woods and fields occurred. The river crested in late February and fell slowly in early March.

Moderate flooding continued from late February on the Green River. Flooding began in lower Calhoun. A large portion of Rumsey was flooded. Voluntary evacuations of homes were recommended. Thousands of acres were flooded in the Island, Rumsey, and Jewel City areas, but the cropland was mostly dormant. High water signs were posted on Kentucky Highway 81 near the Green River bridge. Numerous county roads and a few other state roads were closed. The river crested at 31.67 feet early on the 1st. Flood stage is 23 feet.