Unfortunately, flooding is a common occurrence near the end of winter when ice and snow melt with warming temperatures. But when that is combined with epic downpours, the result is catastrophic flooding and that's what is happening in many parts of the state. Eastern Kentucky has been hit particularly hard by this weather pattern, as thousands have been affected by devastating flooding. Kentucky photographer Ben Childers was able to gather some incredible and heartbreaking footage of this flooding, taken just two days ago.
The mountain towns and those along the Cumberland River have seen unprecedented flooding.
The rushing river has created an even more powerful waterfall and incredible rapids as the river rises. A typically peaceful Kentucky scene is currently a raging natural wonder.
A Terrifying, Deadly Storm Struck Kentucky In 2009… And No One Saw It Coming
The 2009 ice storm in Kentucky was a devastating event that left residents without power, food, and warmth, marking it as one of the worst in the state's history.
Kentucky is known for having all four seasons and what some call a 'mild' winter. However, in 2009, winter was anything but mild. We had a horrific ice storm in Kentucky that year, and it will not soon be forgotten. The 2009 ice storm was devastating for the entire state on many levels. People were trapped without power, cold, hungry, and in more rural areas, desperately trying to survive. Here are a few facts about the worst ice storm in Kentucky's history. Read more... if you dare.
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Kentucky residents were powerless during and after the storm. Literally AND figuratively speaking, that is. It was a very dark, intense situation.
The entire state was coated in a thick layer of ice. The trees, power lines, homes, roads, trees and even flowers froze solid. Tree limbs were so weighted down from the ice that many fell, blocking travel. The ice was both beautiful and deadly.
The heavy ice caused power lines to snap all across the state. There were over 700,000 homes and businesses without power. Over 200,000 of those individuals were in the city of Louisville. Several hundred thousand were left without power for 10 days and longer. We knew people that had no power for over 2 weeks, and some rural areas were reportedly worse.
During the outages, Kentucky’s power companies had to call in backup support. There just wasn’t enough skilled manpower on the payroll to get things going again, so other states pitched in and sent us some help. Even regular citizens that happened to have plows took to the streets to aid in getting Kentucky moving again. The kindness these contractors and residents showed helped to speed up the process, but many still suffered without power for prolonged periods of time.
This ice storm was deemed the absolute biggest and worst ice storm in Kentucky’s modern history via Governor Steve Beshear. The western part of the Bluegrass State was actually hardest hit. Elder trees were not strong enough to withstand the weight of the ice; both branches and entire trees fell to the ground. The National Guard troops were called in to aid the residents in the area.
If you wanted bread and milk, you had to make it to the stores and pray they received stock. The shelves were picked clean of specific survival foods. Some stores couldn’t get supplies, making the situation even more dire. Those who gardened and canned their own food had it much better than those who depended on Kroger for their nutrition. Many country folk simply went to their cellars to fetch vegetables and fruits canned during previous years. Having the skills to cook on an open fire was also a major bonus. People really should learn from this.
It took some time to get the ice cleared away, and even then, things weren’t the same for a while. The horrific ice storm in Kentucky left its mark on the residents, especially those who suffered the longest. How did you do during the 2009 ice storm in Kentucky? Would you consider it the worst ice storm in Kentucky history? Let us know!
Are you planning to visit and need a place to stay or fun stuff to do? Check out the options from our friends at Trivago!
Most people love to look at Kentucky’s jaw-dropping nature spots. Our state is blessed with the most magnificent places to appreciate scenic beauty imaginable from border to border. No matter what area of the Bluegrass State you wander across, you are guaranteed to see absolutely breathtaking scenes at some point from our rolling hills to our thick forests. We might have inconsistent weather and allergies, but when we gaze upon our state’s natural beauty, it makes any potential negative seem 100% obsolete. Even winter in Kentucky takes on an air of magic that will make anyone fall in love with the state.
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Here are 20 spots in Kentucky that will drop your frozen jaw this winter:
The photographer for this image captioned it, "Whose woods these are, I think I know…" Robert Frost's words seem so appropriate for this lovely scene in Henderson.
This gorgeous woodland sitting looks serene in the light snow-peppered surroundings. It looks like there might be an owl in the tree, but I’m not sure.
This is a gorgeous sunrise, complete with a sun pillar over the lake. It not only illuminates the water itself but adds a burst of color to the entire area. Gorgeous!!!
This beautiful scene was captured within the past few weeks. Despite the cold, the ducks still seem content to float on the pond, though some of their friends have taken flight.
This was right after a big storm that took place in December. Odd how an intense storm can leave behind so much serenity in its wake. A perfect example of the beauty of the Bluegrass State.
Water towers have never looked so beautiful in this lovely part of Hancock County. They just seem to be perfectly placed as the sun rears its glowing head over the horizon.
People tend to say a lot of things about Kentucky. However, one thing you just don’t hear is that Kentucky is not beautiful. Why? Well, because that would be a horrific lie. These winter in Kentucky pictures are of jaw-dropping spots around the state and are most assuredly proof of that. The best part is that these were ALL taken by Kentuckians, which is likely why there is so much love in each image. I’d like to say a big thank you to all the photographers and encourage you all to continue posting your beautiful images on the Only in Kentucky page comments. I know it’s a hard choice, but which of the above was your favorite scene? Let us know!
If you enjoy photographing or taking photos of nature scenes around Kentucky, take a look at the camera options on REI.com.
