Flooding A Risk As Storms Pass Through UC This Week

Flooding and strong storms a threat for the Upper Cumberland over the next few days.

Putnam County EMA Director Tyler Smith said residents should be mindful of flood prone areas as some communities anticipate up to four inches of rainfall.

“It will become saturated as time goes on through the week,” Smith said. “That’s when we’ll start to see more flooding issues. Just depends if we get training of storms over the same area that can cause a lot of rapidly rising water and flash flooding.”

Flash flooding occurs when heavy rain attributes to rapidly rising water. Slow rising water over several days cause a general flood risk. Smith said both situations may result from this week’s rainfall.

“We got the whole week really just with on and off rain some periods of rain heavy at times,” Smith said. “Some areas could get three to five inches maybe higher amounts in certain areas. The same areas that we normally have flooding issues we always take note of that.”

Smith said in anticipation to the rainfall, emergency workers try to educate the general public on safety. Smith said only two feet of water can sweep away a vehicle, so don’t drown. Turn around.

“Crossing that road it could be washed away,” Smith said. “If you can’t see the road, don’t cross it, especially at night.”

Smith said keeping a weather radio also a precaution to take as always for any weather event.