Heavy downpours and flash flooding events continue to increase in different areas of the United States. These specific type of events have increased between 10-40% in the Mid South since 1958. (Kentucky 16%, Tennessee 14%, Missouri 38% and Illinois 12%.) We don't have to look back too far in the records for our last event. Local businesses and homes were damaged from rushing flood waters when when over 6" of rain fell in 2-3 hours over parts of Paducah, KY. The heavy rain and storms began around 3AM and came to an end just before sunrise. Streams and creeks were overwhelmed along with an inundated urban development area. Flood zones were filled several inches, even feet deep, and only took a few short hours to dry out. The damage was already done to hundreds of homes/businesses. Many factors came together for this event to become a disaster for many. Most people were asleep when the event began to unfold. There were very few eyes to report the magnitude of the flooding t...
The views and expressions of Meteorologist and Storm Specialist Jennifer Rukavina in Paducah, KY.