Flood in Carter County, Kentucky

The Little Sandy River at Grayson exceeded its flood stage of 21 feet on the morning of February 6th. The river crested around 24.4 feet that afternoon and then receded below flood stage again early the next morning. While the river spilled out of its banks, flooding of low spots on Route 773 and Jackson Road occurred. Additional flooding of buildings next to the gauge was observed, along with flooding in the Dixie Park area, along State Route 1910, and flooding of farmland and low spots in the vicinity of Grayson.

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.