USA – 1 Missing After Floods in Northern Kentucky

Parts of northern Kentucky were hit by raging floods after heavy rain from Saturday 22 July, 2017.

Local media reported that the flood waters were so powerful they swept cars along roads and ripped houses from their foundations. At least 2 homes were swept away near Maysville in Mason County. All residents are reported to be safe.

The resident of a mobile home in Bracken County is still missing after floods swept the home from its foundations on Sunday, according to local media.

The mobile home was near Bracken Creek, Augusta, a small city along the banks of the Ohio River. Another mobile home in the area was also swept away and destroyed by the floods. The family were unharmed.

Rivers and Rainfall

Despite the close proximity to the Ohio River, much of the flooding in Maysville and Augusta appears to be a result of smaller creeks overflowing or surface runoff rather than major rivers overflowing.

The main river gauges in the area showed some increase in water levels, although none reached flood or warning stages.

The Ohio River near Maysville reached 34.96 feet early 23 July. It has since dropped slightly but is expected to rise again, possibly to around 35 feet, on 26 July. Flood stage at Maysville is 50 feet.

North Fork Licking River near Mount Olivet, Robertson County, reached 23.32 feet early 24 July. No flood categories are available for this location. However, the 23 feet is well below the historic crests of 55.21 feet of 1997 and 50.26 feet of 1964.

North Fork Licking River near Mount Olivet, Kentucky. Image: NOAA

National Weather Service Wilmington, Ohio, reported that 7.42 inches of rain fell in in south eastern Mason County between 22 and 23 July. At least 7 other areas recorded more than 4 inches of rain during the same period.

Rainfall in parts of Kentucky and Ohio, 22 to 23 July 2017. Image: National Weather Service Wilmington OH

Social Media

Maysville home torn apart in storm. Homeowner says he was inside when it started to go. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/MMXEhTz8dk

— Kristen Swilley (@KristenSwilley) July 23, 2017

Significant damage to a car lot on Route 68 in Maysville. Mayor says it's the worst he's seen, looks "like a hurricane hit it." @WCPO pic.twitter.com/Fgvaa7d346

— Kristen Swilley (@KristenSwilley) July 23, 2017