Rivers around Kentucky start to crest after heavy rainfall
Kentucky residents face severe floods, river cresting after heavy rains battered the state.
Louisville is at risk of seeing severe storms, including tornadoes and large hail May 16 as a strong system is set to approach the metro area, according to the National Weather Service in Louisville.
The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a moderate risk for severe storms, the fourth-highest of five risk levels. The moderate risk area includes the western half of Kentucky and much of southern Indiana. Kentucky cities east of Frankfort are in the enhanced risk area, the third-highest level.
“If you’re in the Louisville area and have outdoor plans, the threat will get going between 3-6 p.m. (May 16),” NWS Louisville meteorologist Brian Neudorff said during a May 15 briefing.
Louisville is also under a slight risk for flash flooding, meaning there is at least a 15% chance the metro area will see flash floods. Urban areas are more vulnerable to flash flooding, Neudorff said.
Here is the latest information from around Louisville and Kentucky.
Louisville and some nearby locales are under a severe thunderstorm warning as of 7:47 p.m.
Impacted areas include central Jefferson County, all of Spencer County, western Shelby County, north central Nelson County, all of Bullitt County and north central Hardin County, according to the warning. The warning expires at 8:15 p.m.
Risks include heavy rainfall, 60 mph wind gusts and hail the size of a quarter. Hail and wind damage are possible impacts.
Several counties in east and central Kentucky are under a tornado watch as of 7:15 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
The watch is active until 3 a.m. May 17. The entire commonwealth is now under a tornado watch after the NWS issued one for parts of west and central Kentucky at 4 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency ahead of severe storms forecasted to arrive in Kentucky in the afternoon and into the evening.
Strong winds, hail, flooding and tornadoes are possible hazards for much of the commonwealth.
“Once again we have a dangerous weather system sweeping across the commonwealth,” Beshear said in a news release. “We expect a significant round of weather coming this afternoon and into tonight that will produce strong winds that could lead to power outages, a possibility of hail, flooding and potential for tornadoes. We need everyone to be really careful and make sure you have weather alerts on and are at a location where you can seek safety if needed.”
Beshear has activated the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center and the Kentucky National Guard are prepared to respond as needed, the news release states.
The National Weather Service in Louisville has issued a tornado watch for Jefferson County and the surrounding area.
The watch is in effect from 4-11 p.m.
Jefferson County Public Schools has cancelled after-school activities for May 16 due to the risk for severe weather, district officials announced on social media.
High school proms will continue as planned, JCPS spokesperson Carolyn Callahan said.
Oldham County Schools is releasing students two hours early on May 16 due to the possibility of severe weather in the afternoon. Elementary schools will be released at 12:20 p.m., while middle and high schools will be released at 2 p.m. Enrichment centers will also be closed, and extracurricular activities are canceled.
“Although the storms may not arrive until late afternoon/early evening, we want to err on the side of caution to ensure all students are home and buses are off the roads before the storms hit, as these storms have the potential for destructive winds and very large hail,” an email from the school district to parents states.
Friday
A 40-90% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86 and low around 65. Southwest winds of 6-13 mph become 9-14 mph in the evening. New rainfall amounts of between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday
West winds of 10-16 mph during the day. Sunny skies turn partly cloudy with a high near 76 and low around 57. West winds of 5-9 mph Saturday night which become light after midnight.
Sunday
A 30% chance of showers, mainly overnight after 2 a.m. Mostly sunny skies turn partly cloudy, with a high near 79 and low around 60. Light west winds.
Monday
A 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. and overnight after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy with a high near 79 and low around 63.
Tuesday
Chance of precipitation is 80-90% with showers and thunderstorms likely. High near 76 and low around 58.
