National Weather Service meteorologists are calling for more than two inches of rain in some parts of western Kentucky over the next two days.
A flood watch for the quad-state area will go into effect at 6 p.m. Thursday evening and remain in place until at least 7 a.m. Saturday morning.
NWS meteorologist Kevin Smith says the recent snow melt and heavy rain forecast could lead to flooding in some areas that don’t typically see water on roads.
“The ground is totally saturated, so anything that falls from the sky is going to run off from parking lots, houses, roadways and run into ditches and streams and fill those streams up pretty quickly,” Smith said.
Smith says flood warnings have already been issued for some rivers in Kentucky, including the Ohio.
“With these rivers already in flood, any water that feeds into them is going to make them rise as well, but you’re going to have areas that have backwater from those major rivers and streams,” Smith said. “Any water that runs into them is just going to fill up further back towards communities that are next to the river areas.”
The NWS 7-day forecast indicates Saturday's 50 percent chance of rain will be followed by four straight days of sunshine, beginning Sunday.
