By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
The National Weather Service in Louisville has placed Barren County under a wind advisory and a flood watch as Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declares a state of emergency ahead of four-days of expected severe weather.
The weather service forecasts severe thunderstorms and heavy rain will impact Barren County beginning tonight, April 2, until Sunday night, April 6.
At the time of publication, Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd has not declared a state of emergency for the county. Also, Barren County has been put in a wind advisory by the weather service until midnight and a flood watch beginning at 7 p.m. tonight until 7 a.m. on April 6.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the service states. “Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers is possible. This is expected to be a high end event with life-threatening flooding. Major flash flooding and river flooding will be possible. Complete any flooding preparation today [and] those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.”
In his declaration, Beshear said the threat applies to all Kentucky but is “especially concerning” to Western Kentucky, which “is going to see potentially historic amounts of rain, and strong winds with the possibility of tornadoes are in the forecast.”
Beshear is urging all Kentuckians to find a safe place to stay tonight.
“Tornadoes are expected, and I know that’s tough to hear,” Beshear is quoted as saying in a press release. “And we are most concerned about the area of Western Kentucky that has gotten hit far too much, as well as a wider area of Western Kentucky. Remember, these can be strong tornadoes, EF-2 and greater. We’re really concerned about people’s safety, especially in the overnight, because when storms or tornadoes hit while people are asleep, that’s sadly when we’ve lost the most people. So, everybody out there, be really careful.”
Kentucky’s National Guard “stands ready” to respond to weather-related emergencies and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews are on alert, according to the declaration.
The full executive order can be read here.
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