A collaborative effort: Preparing for floods in eastern Kentucky counties

POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — Emergency Management team members, police, firefighters, and the Judge Executive were among the Powell County leaders who tuned in to a virtual call with the National Weather Service on Friday, trying to get ahead of what Mother Nature could bring this weekend.

“The biggest indicators are obviously saturated ground, which we have; elevated creeks and rivers, which we have; and followed by a prediction of heavy rain, which we have,” Emergency Management Director in Powell County Kevin Babcock said.

Babcock said the county expects moderate flash flooding. Rainfall predictions for his part of the state were less on Friday than Thursday.

“Last time it was close to 25 feet; this is looking to peak at around 22 feet. You think, ‘Only three feet; that’s not a big difference.’ It’s a huge difference for Clay City,” Babcock said.

Homes and structures close to creeks and other bodies of water are the most at risk, especially those in certain parts of the county.

“Bowen going across from Highway 15, across to North Fork Road, or from Roslyn going across from 15, across to North Bend Road,” Babcock said.

Powell County does have mutual aid partners ready to assist if needed. Leaders encourage people to have a go-bag with essentials ready just in case.

Babcock said 80% of the people who will respond to the storm are volunteers and encourages anyone who is willing to lend a helping hand to not hold back.

“They could use your talents, whether it’s just sitting and writing down things in an incident command trailer, or if it’s getting out there and fighting the fires or rappelling off the gorge,” Babcock said.

People in the regions can stay up to date with emergency alerts during the storms by signing up for CodeRED notifications.