July 2023 Western Kentucky floods

July 2023 Western Kentucky floods
Map of rainfall totals across NWS Paducah's area of responsibility (western Kentucky, southern Illinois, and southeastern Missouri) for the period July 18–19
CauseHeavy rains
Meteorological history
DurationJuly 18, 2023 – July 19, 2023
Flood
Maximum rainfall11.28 in (287 mm) in Mayfield, Kentucky
Overall effects
Fatalities0
Injuries1
Areas affectedWestern Kentucky, southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, northwestern Tennessee

In a two-day period from July 18 to July 19, 2023, significant flooding occurred across western portions of Kentucky, southern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, and northwestern Tennessee caused by stalled heavy thunderstorms which brought high rainfall rates to numerous locations across western Kentucky. The flooding event also inundated locations previously hit by the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado. Numerous homes were flooded across western Kentucky, and several flash flood emergencies were issued for locations in western Kentucky and southern Illinois as well.[1][2]

Meteorological synopsis

Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a mesoscale convective system along a low-level convergent axis on the afternoon of July 18 across portions of southeast Missouri.[3] Favorable precipitable water values around 1.7-1.9 inches, along with wind shear around 50-60 knots, and most-unstable convective available potential energy (CAPE) in the 2000 values, yielded conditions for the developed thunderstorms to intensify and produce heavy rainfall.[3]

The next day, a moderate risk of excessive rainfall was issued by the Weather Prediction Center, and a flood watch was issued for Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Missouri.[4] Convection initiated in the vicinity of the Tri-state area in the early morning hours of July 19, and precipitable water values increased from the previous day to 1.8-2.3 inches, and a strong boundary layer moisture convergence from an isentropic ascent, combined with the same CAPE values from the previous day, allowed a strong low level jet and training convection to rapidly increase in coverage across central Missouri and head southeastward along a stationary front, causing heavy rainfall.[5][6][1] Another mesoscale convective system developed several hours later, leading to additional high rates of rainfall.[7] Convection continued to form on the afternoon of July 19 as 850-millibar inflow at 20-30 knots and favorable thermodyamics led to additional rainfall across southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and northwest Tennessee.[8]

The Weather Prediction Center's excessive rainfall outlook for July 19.

Impact

Numerous homes were flooded in Mayfield and Wingo.[9] Cars were submerged on flooded roads in Graves County.[10] Portions of I-69, the Purchase Parkway, and KY 80 were flooded.[11][12] Flash flood warnings were issued for western Kentucky, southern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, and northwestern Tennessee, including Carbondale, Illinois, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Paris, Tennessee.[6] Rare flash flood emergencies were issued for Mayfield, Paducah, Fancy Farm, and surrounding areas, and included areas impacted by the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado.[6][13][14] As a result, this was the first time flash flood emergencies were issued from the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky for the Jackson Purchase region of the state.[15] Additional flash flood emergencies were also issued for LaCenter, Kentucky, and Mounds, Illinois, and as far north as Karnak, Illinois.[2] Crop losses also occurred in western Kentucky, and power outages peaked at 19,433 during the flood event.[16][17] 1 person was injured and six water rescues were completed in Graves County.[18][19]

Near Mayfield, 11.28 inches (287 mm) of rain fell, setting a new record rainfall in Kentucky.[18][20][6] 6.9 inches (180 mm) of rainfall fell in Paducah, Kentucky, which was the second—highest daily record there.[6][21] The event was also considered a 1 in a 1,000-year event.[6]

Aftermath

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for Mayfield and surrounding areas, and toured the flooded areas.[19][22] Local emergencies were declared in Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, and Lee counties in Kentucky, and also in the cities of Arlington, Bardwell, Clinton, Cumberland, and Mayfield.[17] Western Kentucky University offered free early move-ins to summer housing for flood victims.[23] Damage assessments by the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency were completed in 47 buildings, including 41 homes and 6 businesses.[19] A shelter was opened for displaced residents following the disaster.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b "Flash Flood Emergency In Western Kentucky | Weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  2. ^ a b "Flash Flood Emergency including La Center KY, Mounds IL and Barlow KY until 1:00 PM CDT". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  3. ^ a b Weiss, Joshua (July 18, 2023). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 757". Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Western Kentucky's recovery efforts after historic rains challenged by renewed flood threat". Yahoo News. 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  5. ^ Churchill, William (July 18, 2023). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 761". Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Cappucci, Matthew; Samenow, Jason; Dance, Scott (July 19, 2023). "A Kentucky town still recovering from a tornado hit with record floods". The Washington Post.
  7. ^ Weiss, Joshua (July 18, 2023). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 762". Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  8. ^ Weiss, Joshua (July 18, 2023). "Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 763". Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  9. ^ Sistek, Scott (2023-07-19). "Life-threatening flooding pummels western Kentucky, submerging homes and stranding residents amid rescues". FOX Weather. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  10. ^ "Western Kentucky hit hard by overnight flash flooding, authorities say". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  11. ^ Spectee (2023-07-20). "US: Severe Flooding Hits Western Kentucky". Courier-Tribune. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  12. ^ Mohundro, Mike (2023-07-19). "Flash flood emergency issued for counties in western Ky". WSIL-TV. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  13. ^ "Flash Flood Emergency including Mayfield KY, Bardwell KY and Wickliffe KY until 1:00 PM CDT". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  14. ^ "Flash Flood Emergency including Paducah KY, Hendron KY and Massac KY until 1:00 PM CDT". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  15. ^ Bergren, Noah (July 27, 2023). "The 'Great Kentucky Flood' of July 2023". Metropolis Planet]. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  16. ^ Hefley, Charmayne. "Some crop loss after flash floods impact western Kentucky farmers". Successful Farming. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  17. ^ a b Today, Kentucky (2023-07-21). "No fatalities, plenty of flood damage in western Kentucky". The Advocate-Messenger. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  18. ^ a b c Taylor, Derrick Bryson; Diaz, Johnny (2023-07-19). "Floods Sweep Southwestern Kentucky". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  19. ^ a b c Ruch, Amber (2023-07-20). "Gov. Beshear tours flood damage in western Ky". WYMT. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  20. ^ Smart, Sara; Alvarado, Caroll (2023-07-19). "Kentucky governor declares state of emergency after record rainfall causes widespread flooding". CNN. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  21. ^ "6.90" so far today in Paducah, which is our 2nd highest daily rainfall on record. The all-time record is 7.49" set on September 5, 1985, with the remnants of Hurricane Elena. An insane amount of rain!". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  22. ^ "I have declared a state of emergency to help communities like Mayfield and others affected by widespread flooding. This action will allow us to better support our fellow Kentuckians during this difficult time. More rain is expected today – please stay alert and safe". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  23. ^ Phipps, Sarah (2023-07-21). "Western Kentucky University offering early move-in for flood victims". www.wbko.com. Retrieved 2023-07-23.

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