Wednesday’s severe weather brought tornadoes, damaging winds and heavy rain, to western Kentucky and Governor Andy Beshear reminded folks that the inclement weather is sticking around into the weekend.
At Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update, Beshear told residents to remain vigilant while the threat for severe weather continues into the weekend. During that time heavy rain is set to impact parts of the state and Beshear says western and central Kentucky are especially susceptible to flooding.
Beshear says no deaths and only a few injuries have been reported as a result of the Wednesday’s severe weather. As the inclement weather continues, Beshear says resources such as emergency management, swift water rescue teams and the Kentucky National Guard are prepared to respond if needed.
Meteorologist Justin Gibbs with the National Weather Service in Paducah spotlighted the weather risks through the rest of the week. Along with heavy rain, the bulk of western Kentucky is under a slight risk for severe weather through Friday with damaging winds and hail as the main threats and a slim chance for tornadoes.
Wednesday saw around three inches of rainfall and Gibbs says over the next few days he expects between eight to 10 inches of rain to impact areas between Murray and Hopkinsville.
Through Saturday the region is set to be at marginal to slight risk for severe weather. Gibbs says the region may have a final round of scattered thunderstorms Saturday before a cold front comes through that night.
As a result of the rain, a majority of western Kentucky is under a flood watch through Sunday morning.