Between July 25th and July 30th, 2022, several complexes of training thunderstorms developed south of I-64 and brought heavy rain, deadly flash flooding, and devastating river flooding to eastern Kentucky and central Appalachia. These thunderstorms, at times, caused rainfall rates in excess of 4/hr across complex terrain that led to widespread devastating impacts.
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.
Between July 25th and July 30th, 2022, several complexes of training thunderstorms developed south of I-64 and brought heavy rain, deadly flash flooding, and devastating river flooding to eastern Kentucky and central Appalachia. These thunderstorms, at times, caused rainfall rates in excess of 4/hr across complex terrain that led to widespread devastating impacts. While it did not rain continuously during this 4-day stretch, the overwhelming amounts of rain and resultant flooding led to 39 deaths and widespread catastrophic damage. Entire homes and parts of some communities were swept away by flood waters, leading to costly damage to infrastructure in the region. Over 600 helicopter rescues and countless swift water rescues by boat were needed to evacuate people who were trapped by the quickly-rising flood waters. In total, 24 Flash Flood Warnings were issued between July 26th and July 30th. Between the evening of July 27th and the mid-morning hours on July 28th (the peak of the event), 13 warnings were issued, 3 of which were upgraded to a Flash Flood Emergency.
Radar-based rainfall estimates suggest that upwards of 14-16 of rain fell during this 5-day period in a narrow swath, with many more locations receiving 6-10 of rain. Most of this rain fell during the night of July 27th into the morning of July 28th, which is when the most devastating impacts were felt. The highest totals occurred across an axis that stretches from northern Clay and southern Owsley counties, east through southern Breathitt and northern Leslie counties, into Perry, Knott and Letcher counties. The highest rainfall total report was from southern Knott County, where 14.00 fell between July 25th and July 29th. This site, a cooperative (COOP) observer at Carr Creek Lake, reported 6.71 from 7am July 28th to 7am July 29th, following a report of 6.50 at that site on the previous day. Another COOP site in Buckhorn reported 8.00 of rain for the 24-hour period ending 7am on July 28th. The rainfall total in Buckhorn from July 25th to July 29th was 11.76. These rainfall values occurring in such a short period of time are incredibly rare: there is less than a 1 in 1000 chance for this much rainfall over five days in a given year.
The incredible rainfall also led to significant rises and flooding on many rivers in eastern Kentucky including on the main stem of the Kentucky River; North, Middle and South forks of the Kentucky River; Red River and Licking River. At Whitesburg, the North Fork of the Kentucky River swelled well above major flood stage, reaching close to 21' before gauge failure (the previous flood of record was 14.7' in 1957). The North Fork of the Kentucky River at Jackson also reached major flood, setting a new record crest of 43.47' (the previous record was 43.1' set in 1939). The river flooding caused a second round of destruction for communities in the region, and caused flooding in downstream areas that did not receive as much rainfall.
*Note* Given the widespread nature and severity of this event - any dollar amount estimated by storm data will not do the event as a whole justice. Since eastern KY was a national declaration, FEMA will be doing a full cost assessment. Will use this data once available for total monetary amounts of damage.
Visit www.weather.gov/jkl/July2022Flooding for more information on the event, as well as pictures and videos of the flooding and damage.
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 Jul 27, 6:52 AM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Jackson KY 752 AM EDT Wed Jul 27 2022 .UPDATE... Issued at 752 AM EDT WED JUL 27 2022 Primarily adjusted PoPs as waves of convection are developing to our west and streaming in. Unfortunately, these will pass over locations that have picked up heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours. Sky grids have been adjusted to account for the current satellite trends as well. The latest T, Td, and wind obs have been loaded and blended. Grids have been sent to NDFD and Webfarms. .SHORT TERM...(Today through Thursday) Issued at 455 AM EDT WED JUL 27 2022 The latest analysis highlights a wave of scattered showers and embedded thunderstorms early this morning, with CAMs suggesting this activity to pick up through the morning and into the day. With that said, CAMs are really struggling and a bit all over with where the better axes of rainfall will occur. The surface boundary that brought waves of activity so far this week remains aligned across the northern tier of the CWA and west through Central and Western Kentucky. Soundings identify long and skinny cape, high PWATs (around 2") and high freezing levels. This, in combination with nearly parallel mean flow to the aforementioned boundary, will allow for very efficient rain makers again today. With heavy rainfall seen across the northern half of the CWA yesterday, repeated and persistent activity could create additional problems through the day for Eastern Kentucky once again. The latest mesoanalysis highlights a bulls eye of over 2" PWATs and deep moisture convergence across Central Kentucky this morning. A 30kt LLJ is also apparent on the latest RAP analysis. This is all co-located with 1000 J/kg of MUCAPE and is expected to shift east through the morning. HREF 1-hour rainfall rates indicate periods of greater than 1 inch being possible at times through today as well. Activity should begin to dwindle this evening and early overnight, before the upper level pattern begins to evolve some. A closed low over Southern Ontario will be embedded within a deepening trough. Heights are expected to fall overnight tonight and into Thursday, as a secondary front approaches the area from the northwest. This will bring renewed development into the day Thursday, with flash flooding and high waters remaining a concern. This is especially so for locations that have already seen heavy rainfall. Anticipate the flood watch to be extended through Thursday, but given the lower confidence in where this better axes sets up have forgone doing so in this package. With a better signal along and ahead of the approaching front, anticipate temperatures to be cooler Thursday, topping out in the lower 80s, while today finding the low and mid 80s. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Tuesday) Issued at 600 AM EDT WED JUL 27 2022 We will continue to be near the southern edge of the prevailing westerlies aloft as the period starts. A large closed upper low will be centered over Ontario. The northern edge of the tropical regime interacting with the mid latitude system will result in deep moisture and precipitable water still around 2 inches. Residual surface boundaries may still be in the area, but their exact layout looks uncertain. A better defined cold front will approach from the northwest on Thursday night, and slowly pass through on Friday and Friday night. This will be supported by a shortwave trough rotating around the aforementioned upper low as it creeps eastward. Additional showers and thunderstorms are forecast until the front passes and the deep moisture is suppressed southward. By Friday night, it looks like most of the precipitation will be settling to our south (at least temporarily). Up until then, locally heavy rainfall will be possible. Drier air will try to move in behind the front, with our northern counties having the biggest impact from this early in the weekend. With the upper level low supporting the front departing through Quebec, the front will lose momentum and stall across the Deep South, in close enough proximity that a few showers/thunderstorms could persist in our southern counties even on Saturday. Stronger flow aloft will retreat to the north when the upper low departs. As this happens, what's left of the surface front will head back north and bring a return to a more tropical atmosphere. Along with this, we'll see an increased potential for showers and thunderstorms early in the new week. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Thursday morning) ISSUED AT 752 AM EDT WED JUL 27 2022 VFR conditions will prevail for most sites to begin the period. The one exception is SYM, where low cloud cover will start the site in MVFR. Upstream convection should be working in soon, potentially dropping ceilings and visibility for a time to IFR. This will be the case through the afternoon for all sites, as any nearby or overhead thunderstorms will bring MVFR to IFR conditions briefly. Winds will generally be out of the SW at less than 10 kts through this afternoon, becoming light and variable overnight. Any nearby or direct hit storms could bring briefly erratic and gusty winds through the period. && .JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Wednesday evening for KYZ044-050>052-058>060- 068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120. && UPDATE...BB SHORT TERM...RAY LONG TERM...HAL AVIATION...BB
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson KY 449 AM EDT Wed Jul 27 2022 KYZ044-050>052-058>060-068-069-079-080-083>088-104-106>120-281100- Fleming-Montgomery-Bath-Rowan-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 Flemingsburg, Camargo, Jeffersonville, Mount Sterling, Owingsville, Morehead, 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 449 AM EDT Wed Jul 27 2022 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of eastern Kentucky. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Thunderstorms will affect much of the area, as a frontal boundary oscillates north and south across Eastern Kentucky. Thunderstorms will be persistent in some locations, potentially resulting in flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms are expected Thursday and Thursday night. They should become less numerous on Friday, but will still be possible at times through Tuesday. Heavy rainfall may occur, especially Thursday and Thursday night, which could lead to localized flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report any issues with flooding or high water. BB/HAL
The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 37 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:01 UTC.
22 flash flood, 7 flood, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
The cooperative observe located 1 mile NNE of Mount Olive measured 4.24 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period.
Several reports of flash flooding were received from Wolfe County during the evening and overnight hours of July 27th to July 28th. These reports included:
8:26 PM EST - Flash flood waters were reported up to the porches of Terrill Fork and Holly Roads near the community of Hollonville. |9:55 PM EST - Flash flood waters were reported in the churchyard at the Lee City First Church of God. |9:55 PM EST - Flash flood waters were reported over KY-205 near the intersection of Trent Fork and Greenbrier Branch Road. |9:58 PM EST - The main bridge along KY-1261 was flooded, along with multiple places with flood debris in the road. |11:13 PM EST - Flash flood waters are reportedly over KY-205 at multiple places in Breathitt and Wolfe counties beteen Vancleve and Lee City. |2:08 AM EST - 7 to 8 inches of water was flowing on Main Street for a second time in the same evening in front of Sweet Arts.|2:11 AM EST - 7 to 8 inches of water was flowing over Drake Road in Campton.
Multiple reports of flash flooding across northern Breathitt County, into southern Wolfe County.
At 9:12 PM EST - Pictures on social media show flash flood waters surrounding vehicles at Morgue Fork.|At 9:20 PM EST - Water was reported over Morgue Fork Road. |At 9:58 PM EST - A video on social media showed flash flood waters around a home at the intersection of Strong Fork Road and KY-1812 in the community of Keck.|At 10:20 PM EST - Flash flood water were reported inside residences along Meat Scaffold Road off Hwy-30 just west of Rousseau.|At 11:13 PM EST - Flash flood waters were reportedly over KY-205 at multiple places in Breathitt and Wolfe Counties between Vancleve and Lee City.|At 11:15 PM EST - Public and social media reported flash flooding in the Vancleve and KY-205 area, from KY-1812 to Polecat Branch.
State troopers reported running water and debris across KY-52 at the intersection of KY-2453.
Multiple reports of flash flooding across western Breathitt County. Some reports received include:
At 10:00 PM EST - Several reports of water and debris over the road at both Puncheon Creek and Belcher Fork Road - 2 NE of Guerrant. |At 10:01 PM EST - Flash flood waters were reported over Puncheon Creek Road near the community of Guerrant.|At 10:01 PM EST - Flash flood waters were reported over Belcher Fork Road, near the intersection with KY-30 just south of the Elkatawa community.|At 10:08 PM EST - A land slide (debris flow) was reported, along with flash flooding, at the 2600 block of Puncheon Creek Road near the community of Chenowee. |At 11:49 PM EST - Jetts Creek road was reportedly washing out due to flash flooding. |At 3:36 AM EST - Flash flooding was observed along Jetts Creek Road.
The fire department reported that Cole Brand Road was closed due to flash flooding.
Multiple instances of flash flooding occurred in SW Owsley County.
At 10:00 PM EST - Pictures on social media show significant flash flood damange along Buffalo Creek, including a home washed off it's foundation and destroyed.
Street flooding was reported on Broadway in Irvine and Ravenna.
Multiple reports of flash flooding were received across southern Breathitt County during the overnight hours of the 27th into the 28th. These are some of the reports that were made:
10:48 PM EST - A bridge was washed out along Bowling Creek Road near Altro.|10:50 PM EST - Flash flooding was reported near the community of Barwick. |10:56 PM EST - Water was flowing over the road and impacting a bridge on Bowlings Creek Road. (Same as 10:48 PM report).|11:07 PM EST - Pictures on social media show considerable flash flooding along Bowling Creek Road near Altro and the Breathitt/Perry County Line.|11:36 PM EST - Destructive flash flooind was observed at the Altro Church of God. |12:10 AM EST - Flood waters have washed out culverts and destroyed the road on Joe Little Fork Road in the Canoe area of Breathitt County.|12:15 AM EST - (Same as above) Flash flood waters have reportedly washed out culverts along Joe Little Fork Road. |3:08 AM EST - Joe Little Road reportedly received a second flash flood.|6:00 AM EST - Pictures on social media show multiple homes swept away by flash flood waters along Lost Creek, adjacent to the intersection of KY-15 and Lost Creek-Dice Road.|6:00 AM EST - Picture on social media shows 2 homes caught in flash flood waters at Nobles Landing along Troublesome Creek.
Extensive flash flooding occurred in northwest Perry County. Some of the reports include:
12:00 AM EST - Water rescues were performed on Cam Johnson Branch and Freeman Fork Road in the Buckhorn community.|12:00 AM EST - Water rescues were performed on Garfield Lane and Keneva Road in the Chavies community.|12:00 AM EST - Public reported a house is cascading into a creek, split in half. |12:00 AM EST - Pictures on social media show mud and debris along the floor at the Davidson Church along KY-28. |12:00 AM EST - Severe flash flood damage and bridge washed out near the intersection of Buck Branch Road and KY-28 near Chavies. |2:27 AM EST - Pictures on social media show significant flash flooding through Buckhorn School. |2:40 AM EST - Buckhorn School is flooded and nearby Squabble Creek is out of its banks.|6:00 AM EST - The cooperative observer at Buckhorn Lake reported 8 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period.
Multiple reports of flash flooding were made across central Perry County. Reports included:
11:15 PM EST - Street flash flooding was reported on East Main Street at the Dipsy Doodle Curve in Hazard.|11:20 PM EST - East Main Street is flooded and impassable around 1 mile ESE of Hazard. (likely same report as above)|12:45 AM EST - Pictures show chunks of pavement from KY-550 ripped up by the flash flooding along Trace Branch just downstream from the Jakes Branch Fire Department at Bulan. Nearby buildings sustained flood damage. |12:54 AM EST - MPing report of homes, buildings, or vehicles being swept away 2 miles east of Bulan.|1:10 AM EST - Pictures on social media show a stream crossing along KY-451 collapsed between the community of Busy and Little Willard due to flash flooding. The debris flow ended up in a nearby yard. |1:13 AM EST - MPing report of homes, buildings, or vehicles being swept away 2 miles WNW of Hazard.|6:00 AM EST - The cooperative observer located 1 mile ESE of Hazard measured 8.55 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period.
Extensive flash flooding occurred in Knott County. Some of the reports included:
11:00 PM EST - Pictures on social media show flash flooding around the Big Branch Baptist Church. |11:56 PM EST - Broadcast media reported street flash flooding leaving KY-899 impassable in front of the Holly Hills Shopping Center. |12:38 AM EST - 4 children, ranging from 1 to 8 years old, perished in the flood waters of Montgomery and Troublesome Creeks after being swept away from their parents. Numerous news articles state that the family was awoken by the flash flood warning around 2:00 AM EDT (1:00 AM EST). The Considerable Tag that set off the WEA alerts as sent out at 1:38 AM EDT (12:38 AM EST), so this is likely what awakened the parents. The reports go on to state that it was a matter of minutes before the family was forced to escape to the roof of their mobile home once water started pouring in. They were not on the roof very long before they realized the mobile home was not stable, and they swam to a nearby tree. Strong currents in the water ripped the children away from the parent's grasp. It was around 8 hours before the parents were rescued. 2 of the 4 children were found deceased on Thursday (7/28). The other two were found deceased on Friday morning (7/29)|12:48 AM EST - A portion of Route 899 was flooded near the IGA store in Hindman.|1:00 AM EST - Pictures on social media show debris and rocks littered onto KY-1231 due to flash flooding.|1:30 AM EST - A house was destroyed and carried onto Steer Fork Road and KY-582 by flash flood waters.|2:00 AM EST - A fire truck from the Hindman Volunteer Fire Department was swept away and pinned underneath the Cowtown Road Bridge over Troublesome Creek.|2:00 AM EST - Picture on social media shows a car pinned under the pedestrian bridge in front of Alice Lloyd College after being swept away in the flood waters.|2:00 AM EST - Catastrophic flash flooding in the city of Hindman.|2:00 AM EST - Picture on social media shows the Hidden Treasure Shop along East Main Street (KY-550) in Hindman severely damaged by flash flood waters from Troublesome Creek. |2:00 AM EST - Homes on the lower side of KY-550 in the community of Fisty have been swept away by flash flooding along Troublesome Creek. |2:00 AM EST - Patriot Dairy Bar has been destroyed by flash flooding.|2:22 AM EST - A video on social media shows the Pine Top Post Office was 2/3 submerged by significant flash flood waters along Carr Fork. |2:27 AM EST - Highway 582 is flooded. Water is 3/4 of the way up the post office building at Pine Top. |2:30 AM EST - Camp Nathanael sustained significant damage to several structures in the community of Emmalena. |2:44 AM EST - Multiple cars were submerged and a house surrounded by water in the community of Emmalena. |8:00 AM EST - The cooperative observer located 1 mile East of Wiscoal reported a 24-hour total rainfall of 6.50 inches.
Water was reported flowing over the road along Bear Run near the community of Eversole.
Multiple reports of flash flooding were received across Magoffin County overnight. Some reports include:
11:17 AM EST - Businesses along Bear Branch were flooded near the community of Hendricks.|1:17 AM EST - Magoffin County dispatch reported water entering a home at the intersection of Trace Road and Trace Fork (Ky-542 and KY-1502).|2:25 AM EST - Law enforcment reported that KY Route 7 was impassible in many locations due to flash flooding.
Multiple reports of flash flooding were received across the eastern half of Letcher County. Some of these reports include:
01:00 AM EST - Pictures show a car forced into a culvert pipe by flash flooding in front of the Colson Volunteer Fire Department. |05:00 AM EST - The Isom IGA is innundated to above the doorway by flash flooding along Rockhouse Creek.|05:20 AM EST - A picture showed the Appalshop at Whitesburg innundated by flash flood waters. |05:30 AM EST - A picture showed several feet of flash flood waters rushing down East Main Street (KY-15) in front of the Railroad Street Mercantile of downtown Whitesburg.|06:00 AM EST - Flash flooding was reported at 7:12 AM EST (though likely started closer to 6:00 AM EST) along KY-119 between JD Maggard Store and the Upper FD. |07:00 AM EST - The cooperative observer located 1 mile SSW of Ermine measured a 24-hour rainfall total of 3.45 inches.
A picture shows a single wide trailer having floated across Mill Creek Road Bridge, and is wedged against the guard rail by flash flood waters.
Pike County saw multiple reports of flash flooding, mainly from the southern half of the county. Some of the reports included:
2:00 AM EST - A submerged car in a stream and significant road damage was reported in the Long Fork area of Virgie. |3:15 AM EST - 2 feet of water was reported across Long Fork Road in Virgie.|3:30 AM EST - Elkhorn Creek was reported out of it's banks and flood waters were threatening homes along the creek. Residents in the area were evacuating multiple homes south of KY-197.
Multiple reports of flash flooding were made across northeast Perry County, especially along Troublesome Creek. Reports included:
12:10 AM EST - Flash flood waters were reported over KY-476 in the Dwarf area. |2:00 AM EST - Pictures on social media show multiple homes swept away by flash flood waters along Lost Creek, adjacent to the intersection of KY-15 and Lost Creek-Dice Road. |2:30 AM EST - Robinson Elementary School was completed inundated by flash flood waters from Troublesome Creek.|2:30 AM EST - Pigeonroon-Bulan Road is innundated near the KY-476 intersection by flash flooding from Troublesome Creek.
Multiple reports of flash flooding were received from western Clay County. Reports included:
3:00 AM EST - The bridge at Skull Branch was reported washed out.|3:00 AM EST - The newspaper indicated multiple reporst of flash flooding in the Little Bullskin area near Oneida around this time. Some reports of flooding were also found on social media.|3:18 AM EST - A RV reportedly washed away along Booneville Road near Oneida. |3:20 AM EST - Beech Creek Road at the Bert T. Combs Campground was closed due to flooding.|4:40 AM EST - The culvert for KY-1482 over Panco Branch at the Intersection of Panco Drive washed away.|7:00 AM EST - The cooperative observer in Oneida measured 7.20 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period.|2:09 PM EST (28th) - A landslide (debris flow) was reported on KY-11 near mile marker 22 in Clay County, near the community of Teges.
Flash flooding across portions of Letcher County persisted into areal flooding. In addition the river gauge at Whitesburg went from 2 feet around midnight on the 28th to a minor flood stage of 10 feet by 5:30 AM EST, then to a height of 22.03 feet by 10 AM EST. At this point the gauge was taken out by the flood waters before it crested. The river then dropped below flood stage once more later that afternoon around 5:45 PM EST.
Some additional flooding reports received for Letcher County between 7/28 and 7/29 include:
At 12:55 PM EST (7/28) - The Isom IGA/Subway is inundated by several feed of flood water. |At 1:46 PM EST - Pictures from the media show SKCTC Campus inundated by the North Fork of the Kentucky River. Water levels were half way up the first-story windows on at least one campus building.
Multiple other creeks and streams that fed into the North Fork of the Kentucky River also experienced extensive flooding.
Flash flooding across Breathitt County then led to areal flooding, and record flooding of the North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson. Before the flooding, the North Fork was about 10 feet. Within a few hours, at 5 AM EST on July 28, it reached minor flood stage of 29 feet. It then went on to crest at a record 43.47 feet at 1:30 AM EST July 29th. It fell below flood stage later that day around noon EST.
Some other flood reports that were received across the county during this time include:
08:53 AM EST - Kiwanis Park in Jackson was inundated by the North Fork Kentucky River.|09:16 AM EST - A church and a home at the intersection of Joe Little Fork and KY-3237 in Canoe was inundated by flood waters from Joe Little and Canoe Creeks. |10:00 AM EST - A picture shows Old Caney School surrounded by Troublesome Creek flood waters up to the second story near the community of Hardshell.|10:19 AM EST - Douthitt Park ball field is inundated with several feet of water from the North Fork Kentucky River. |10:26 AM EST - Lost Creek Evangelical Free Church along KY-476 is inundated by Troublesome Creek to within a couple feet of the roof. |11:21 AM EST - The intersection of KY-397 and KY-1110 is inundated by the North Fork Kentucky River near the Howard Creek community. |11:40 AM EST - Homes along KY-476 near the intersection with KY-15 are inundated half way up the first story by Troublesome Creek. |12:26 PM EST - Homes in the Lost Creek Community, as well as the Riverside School campus, are inundated by flood waters from Troublesome and Lost Creeks. |1:00 PM EST - A picture shows Canoe Road inundated by the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River in the Canoe community. |2:00 PM EST - Pictures show the electric substation at the intersection of KY-397 and KY-1110 inundated by the North Fork Kentucky River. |2:26 PM EST - KY-1098 in Quicksand is submerged at the intersection of KY-15 from Quicksand Creek flood waters.|2:28 PM EST - Video footage shows South Jackson inundated by the North Fork Kentucky River.|4:00 PM EST - The North Fork KEntucky River began to inundate Slones Trailer Park in Jackson. |4:11 PM EST - A horse barn is submerged to it's roof at Wolverine by the North Fork Kentucky River. |7:10 AM EST (7/29) - Pictures show widespread inundation in downtown Jackson at the intersection of Broadway and Hawk Street.|8:11 AM EST - Pictures on social media show flood waters surrounding the Elkatawa Free Methodist Church. KY-52 is also inundated. |9:25 AM EST - Jackson Save-A-Lot and Tractor Supply Co. were inundated by the North Fork Kentucky River. |9:47 AM EST - Pictures show the North Fork Kentucky River inundating Slones Trailer Park up to the windows of a car.
Multiple other creeks and streams that fed into the North Fork Kentucky River also experienced extensive flooding.
Runoff from heavy rains eventually found their way to to the Right Fork of Beaver Creek in southwest Floyd County, and Beaver Creek near Martin, leading to multiple reports of flooding in communities near the water. Some reports included:
At 8:30 AM EST - Pictures show the Marathon Gas Station along KY-7 (Main Street) in Wayland inundated by flood waters. Fuel pumps were completely submerged. |At 3:14 PM EST - Video footage showed a water rescue by the bridge on KY-7 near Maddy's Pizza in Hueysville.|At 4:00 PM EST - A picture on social media showed water up to the windows on trailer homes in Hueysville.|At 4:19 PM EST - The Garret community was reported to be inundated by several feet of flood waters from the Right Fork Beaver Creek.|At 6:28 PM EST - The Martin Fire Department reported flood waters over Brawley Street in Martin.
The Red River was running high through Wolfe County. At 09:00 AM EST there was a report that the Red River was flooding across KY-205 at Lee City. At 11:38 AM EST a second report was made of several inches of standing water from the Red River in the Wolfe County Animal Shelter.
Flash flooding across portions of Perry County persisted into areal flooding. In addition the North Fork Kentucky River began rising. It reached minor flood stage (20 feet) by 12:30 PM EST on the 28th, and then went on to crest at 25.76 feet by 10:45 PM EST. It then fell to below flood stage by 5 AM EST the following morning.
Some additional flooding reports received for Perry County between 7/28 and 7/29 include:
At 11:58 AM EST (7/28) - KY-451 was inundated by the North Fork of the Kentucky River and Campbell Creek in the Krypton community. |At 2:00 PM EST - PIctures from broadcast media show flood waters from the North Fork of the Kentucky River inundating the intersection of KY-458 and KY-28 just outside of Chavies. |At 6:56 PM EST - A photo from WYMT news showed flood waters from the North Fork of the Kentucky River inundating North Main Street near the intersection with Y Street in Hazard.
Multiple other creeks and streams that fed into the North Fork of the Kentucky River also experienced extensive flooding.
Video footage shows Straight Creek flooding onto Old Jensen Road in the community of Jensen.
A video was posted on social media showing the aftermath of flash flooding along Main Street in Inez. The creek exceeded its banks and came into town, with mud residue clearly seen on roads, sidewalks, and in the storefront parking lots.
Bell County dispatch reported that Balkan Road off of US-119 was closed due to high water in the community of Callaway.
A report was made of flash flooding taking place in the community of Three Points, off Highway 991, just south of Cawood.
Pictures on social media show minor flash flooding and debris along Page Cutoff Road near the community of Calvin.
West Main Street was covered with flood waters at the railroad underpass in Beattyville. Water was also over Lumber Street at the Valero Gas Station.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | Female | Unknown | Direct | |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | 47 | Male | Unknown | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | 60 | Female | Unknown | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | Female | Unknown | Direct | |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | 65 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | 63 | Female | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | 83 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | 82 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | 69 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | 61 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Breathitt | 2022-07-28 | 40 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Perry | 2022-07-28 | 82 | Female | In Water | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 1 | Male | In Water | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | Unknown | Direct | ||
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-27 | 76 | Female | Unknown | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 8 | Female | In Water | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 6 | Male | In Water | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 4 | Female | In Water | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 73 | Male | In Water | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 72 | Female | In Water | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 50 | Female | In Water | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 55 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 75 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 71 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 74 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 61 | Male | Permanent Structure | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 65 | Female | Permanent Structure | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Knott | 2022-07-28 | 78 | Female | Permanent Structure | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Letcher | 2022-07-28 | 79 | Male | Unknown | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Letcher | 2022-07-28 | 64 | Female | Unknown | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Letcher | 2022-07-28 | 67 | Female | In Water | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Perry | 2022-07-28 | Unknown | Direct | ||
| Flash Flood, Perry | 2022-07-28 | 30 | Male | Unknown | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Perry | 2022-07-28 | Male | Unknown | Direct | |
| Flash Flood, Perry | 2022-07-28 | Unknown | Direct | ||
| Flash Flood, Perry | 2022-07-28 | Unknown | Direct | ||
| Flash Flood, Perry | 2022-07-28 | 78 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Clay | 2022-07-28 | 76 | Male | Permanent Structure | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Clay | 2022-07-28 | 76 | Female | Permanent Structure | Direct |
| Flash Flood, Clay | 2022-07-28 | 81 | Male | Permanent Structure | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kentucky in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Kentucky, July 2022
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: 1049383, 1049203, 1048131, 1048109, 1049081, 1049118, 1049134, 1048110, 1049130, 1049145, 1049184, 1049192, 1048111, 1049108, 1049197, 1049115, 1049202, 1049154, 1049189, 1049436, 1049442, 1049468, 1049485, 1049437, 1049481, 1049413, 1049385, 1049408, 1049400, 1049478.