Hail — Kyz001>004, Kentucky

1995-05-14 · near Murray, Kyz001>004, Kentucky

Event narrative

Frequent thunderstorms during mid-May raised the Mississippi River well above flood stage. Since the Ohio River was also in flood, the Mississippi River was not able to back into the Ohio River as it did in the Great Flood of 1993. Near the confluence of these rivers at Wickliffe, the worst flooding since 1973 occurred. A vital link over the Ohio River between Cairo, Illinois and Wickliffe, Kentucky was closed for the first time since 1973. The U.S. 62 bridge was closed when high water covered the Kentucky approach to the bridge. The bridge was closed for most of the Memorial Day weekend. U.S. 51 was closed just south of Wickliffe, Kentucky due to high water. All four Kentucky counties along the Mississippi River declared states of emergency. Since the floodwaters were still receding in June, damage assessments had not been completed in some counties. The following is a county by county list of flood related damage, along with any available damage estimates: In Ballard County, thousands of acres of cropland were flooded. A total of 15 buildings sustained water damage. Several of these buildings were adjacent to Wickliffe City Park, which was also flooded. Damage figures for the river flooding, including crop damage, were estimated at $525,000. This included damage to roads and public property. In Carlisle County, the Mississippi River flood damage was confined to crops and roads. A total of 8,000 acres of bottomland was flooded, including 1,200 acres of crops. About 23 miles of Carlisle County roads were flooded. No monetary estimate of crop or road damage was made. Both types of damage were relatively light and are expected to be under a million dollars. In Hickman County, floodwaters in undated 10,000 acres of farmland, closed a couple of state roads, and forced a couple of families from their homes. Damage estimates for roads and bridges will not be available until the water subsides. In Fulton County, damage was confined to crops and roads. Three families in the New Madrid bend area were displaced when floodwaters cut off their access routes. Another three families off Route 94 near Hickman were displaced. Damage to the property of displaced families was minimal or nil. About 20 miles of roads were water at the height of the flood. Farmland flooding was extensive in Fulton County, where about 40,000 acres were flooded. Fortunately for many farmers, the spring planting had not been done before the floods.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 10324856. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.