Green River Flooding

We have just now reached the halfway point of March and the month has proven to be very wet so far across the majority of Kentucky. The state has seen seen several heavy rain events over the past few months in addition to a wintry weather event which deposited a deep snow pack that later melted.

In total, Bowling Green has received 5.76″ of liquid precipitation so far this month. Just for some perspective, Bowling’s average monthly precipitation during March is 4.41″ which means that we are already 1.35″ above average with 15 days remaining in the month. Check out this map illustrating rainfall totals across the state so far this month:

All of this precipitation is having an impact on streams and rivers across the state. Many rivers have currently reached flood stage including the Green River in Warren and Butler counties. A flood warning continues for the Green River at Woodbury and Rochester with the river stage at 34.6 feet; 1.6 feet above flood stage as of 6 A.M. CST this morning.

Minor flooding is occurring and the river is expected to crest around 36.1 feet this evening. These flood levels are expected to flood a few county roads in Woodbury and KY 369 north of Rochester. Remember, if y0u encounter water across a roadway…turn around, don’t drown.

The Green River is not the only river running higher than usual, of the 150 stream and river gauges in NWS Lousiville’s forecast area, 31 are currently at or above flood stage. Flood warnings are also in effect for the Ohio, Rough, Kentucky, and Rolling Fork rivers.

Fortunately, dry conditions over the next several days will allow for some of this water to move downstream and waters in the Green River and other state waterways will begin to recede quickly by early Tuesday.