Flood — Lawrence, Kentucky

2025-02-06 · near Blaine, Lawrence, Kentucky

Event narrative

Blaine Creek near Blaine exceeded a bankfull level of 17 feet on the morning of February 6th. The creek reached a crest of 20.3 feet that afternoon and then returned below bankfull around midnight. While the creek was out of its banks, portions of the Blaine Elementary School, low sections of Route 32, Blaine Community Park, and agricultural fields adjacent to the creek were all flooded.

Wider weather episode

Showers first entered southeast Ohio and northeast Kentucky on the evening of February 5th in response to an encroaching disturbance. Widespread rain continued into the next day, then tapered off from northwest to southeast in the wake of a cold front during the early afternoon. After a brief interlude, another wave of precipitation then passed through northeast Kentucky late in the evening of February 6th.

A swath of two to four inches of rain fell across portions of northeast Kentucky. Flooding began in portions of northeast Kentucky shortly after midnight on the 6th, then expanded into southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia, and much of West Virginia as heavy rain continued during the day. Excess runoff led to rises along many creeks, streams, and smaller rivers. Impacts included some flooded vehicles and structures, mud and rock slides, water rescues, and numerous flooded roads.

While high pressure led to drier conditions, minor flooding lingered along parts of the Little Sandy River into the early morning hours of February 7th.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.0361, -82.8463)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1226915. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.