Tropical storm’s rainfall leads to widespread flash flooding across county

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Saturday, June 24, 2017, 11 a.m. — The torrential rains that swamped Nelson County as part of the remnants of tropical storm Cindy dumped 4 to 6 inches of rain across the county, pushing creeks and streams out of their banks and flooding numerous roads.

The county was peppered with an assortment of weather-related watches and warnings Friday, including a tornado warning for the southern parts of the county at about 5:44 p.m.

The heavy rains overwhelmed the capacity of many of the City of Bardstown’s storm drains, which left water several inches deep in sections of North Third Street near Zaxby’s, near the railroad tracks and other streets prone to flash flooding.

High water closed the westbound lanes of Bluegrass Parkway at the 9 mile marker for a time Friday evening.

WATER RESCUES. The Nelson County and Bardstown fire departments responded for a water rescue in the 1500 block of Sullivan Lane off Louisville Road. At about 6:18 p.m., Nelson County Dispatch reported a caller reported her vehicle was trapped in high water. Responding fire crews had to contend with flooded roadways while responding to the request for help. Firefighters rescued the woman from her vehicle without injury.

Several drivers found themselves unexpected driving in high water on US 62, Springfield Road, between Bloomfield and the US 55 intersection and other flood prone areas.

The Northeast Nelson Fire Department was called at about 6:36 p.m. Friday for a water rescue of the occupant in a vehicle stalled in high water near the Beech Fork River bridge in the 6100 block of KY 55, Springfield Road.

The Northeast Nelson Fire Department was later called at 7:08 p.m. to rescue the four occupants of a minivan that was trapped in high water in the “S” curves about a mile south of Bloomfield. Firefighters returned to the same area of the “S” curves south of Bloomfield at about 8:45 p.m. Friday to assist the driver of a passenger car who drove into the high water.

-30-