July 20, 2015
written by WADE QUEEN
Lawrence Co. emergency officials scramble late Saturday night/Sunday morning as severe storm flash floods Blaine area off Rt. 32; came within minutes of ‘Johnson County scenario’ taking place…
Saturday night brought with it another round of severe storms to parts of our Eastern Kentucky region, bring more flash flooding several counties. Various meteorologists and weather forecasters had stated the Friday-Saturday-Sunday period would be mostly dry, with hot and humid sunshine with only low chances of pop-up showers for the 3 day period. But that was not the case as Lawrence County was hit with numerous hard and severe rain storms during the day time and night time of all three days.
One area that was hit hard by the heavy rains was the Route 32 scene of Blaine in Lawrence County before and after midnight Saturday. (See video below)
Emergency and rescue officials in Lawrence County say they had their hands full Saturday night with several high water rescues in the Blaine area. According to Lawrence County Emergency officials, crews from the Blaine Fire Department and Lawrence County Search and Rescue Squad helped rescue people out of their homes on Cains Creek Road when water got over the roadway around five feet deep. Authorities say several homes have been impacted by the water, but thankfully there was no major damage. On Sunday officials report there had been no reports of anyone injured or missing in that area.
The National Weather Service reported that up to 4 inches of rain had fallen in one hour, and that radar was showing that at least another 2 inches was to fall from the rain system that striking the Cains Creek and the surrounding areas. In addition there was also ferocious lightning strikes occurring during the in the Blaine area that was so strong enough that the flashes brighten up most of Lawrence County as if it were daylight of full moon light shine.
The situation was becoming severe enough that rescue teams in adjacent counties were put on standby alert to come to assistance of Lawrence County rescue teams
Emergency officials stated that had the extreme rainfall lasted at the rate that was taking place for another 30 minutes as the radar reports was showing, there would have mostly likely had been a “catastrophic” flooding in Cains Creek and the surrounding area on the par level of what struck Johnson County earlier in the week. In fact when the first reports of the severe flash flooding that was occurring in the Blaine area was also head their way, causing most residents in the northern Johnson County area to go to near panic that another severe flood was coming.
However, near miraculously; the rest of the rain systems heading for the Blaine area started to dissipate, and the storms were a lot weaker as they went into Jonson County.
Had they not, the Blaine area would most likely suffered widespread catastrophic flood damage and likely loss of lives.
Parts of Buffalo Branch Road was also under water.
“The Blaine area has been hit with real heavy rains in the short amount of time. Flash flooding occurred on Cains Creek road,” says Randy Hall, who is head of the Lawrence County Search and Rescue unit.
Officials say some residents in the area had sought higher ground, but they had since returned to their homes.
“Some residents had water come up around their houses. No body got flooded out. The water just came to the base of their houses. The water has receded tremendously over a short period of time. Everyone’s ok,” said Hall.
The area remains under a flash flood watch.
Another round of strong storms is likely this Monday afternoon and evening. Any thunderstorms that develop could produce strong wind gusts, small hail, and flash flooding. A Flash Flood Watch continues through midday Tuesday as storms are also predicted for tomorrow as well.
Long term forecasts show that we are to get a five day dry period from Wednesday thru Sunday with temperatures in the low to mid 80s°, with upper 80’s° to low 90s° beginning next week, but with also storms possibly returning starting next Monday thru Wednesday of the next week.
But for as for getting a supposed coming dry five day period; all of our local weather forecasters stated the same thing was to have also happen for the last three day that just passed!
MOTHER NATURE STRIKES AGAIN IN BLAINE
July 19, 2015
BY JENNIFER FERGUSON
Mudslies underneath this outbuilding? …but you won’t believe this
nearly pitch dark video of being in the flooding when you CLICK HERE.
BLAINE – Heavy rains and thunderstorms prevailed once again in eastern Kentucky (ast) Saturday night, bringing once again, a threat of flash flooding.
Lawrence County residents received a call close at close to 1am from Lawrence County Emergency Management stating that the National Weather Service had issued a Flash Flood Warning which prompted several in the Cherokee, Blaine and Cordell area, to evacuate and seek higher ground.
While both search and rescue crews along with emergency management officials were in the Blaine area throughout the night Saturday, LC emergency management director Michael Woods said there were no active rescues.
“We were in the area to monitor the situation and there to assist if needed,” said Woods. “We checked on lots of people, but thankfully no one had to be rescued and everything was okay.”
As of Sunday afternoon (today), Woods stated that there was only minor residential damage, mainly in the Blaine/Webbville area.
“From what we’re hearing, water only got in to a few people’s homes around two inches deep and left no significant damage,” said Woods. “There was one residence on Deans Branch (a side road from Cains Creek in Blaine) where water was reported about a foot deep.”
This warning came only days after the neighboring county of Johnson was the victim to flash floods which damaged over 150 homes while crews searched and rescued several missing people and confirmed three dead.
Despite the disastrous occurrence, Woods said that Johnson County Emergency Management Director Gary McClure had contacted him Sunday morning offering assistance.
“He said they had an abundance of supplies and was more than happy to offer anything our residence may need,” said Woods. “As of now, everyone seems to be okay and not in need.”
As Woods and his crew continue to investigate that area and assess damages, anyone in Lawrence County with recent flood damage is urged to contact him at 606-638-0334.
