Rains close roads, force rescues in Ky.
One killed; mom, child missing as car swept off
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Torrential rains Thursday night and Friday morning caused flooding in many parts of the state, contributed to at least one death and two disappearances, closed schools and made roads impassable in multiple Kentucky counties.
The high water receded in many places during the day, but police and emergency workers were concerned that more rain Friday night could cause additional hazards as rivers and creeks continue to rise.
The weather service reported rainfall totals of 4.6 inches at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport by 7 a.m. Friday, and some parts of Louisville reported more than 6 inches of rain.
Catherine Carlson, 45, of Lexington was killed early Friday morning when a large tree limb fell on the tent where she and her family were camping at Natural Bridge State Park in Powell County. Her husband, Brian Carlson, was hospitalized in critical condition, but their children were unhurt.
In Lee County, a mother and child remained missing Friday, hours after they were swept into a flooded creek.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Robert Purdy said the two were stranded in their vehicle in high water. Local authorities could see them in the vehicle and attempted a water rescue, Purdy said. But the rushing water swept them away and rescue workers lost sight of them. A search was continuing late in the day.
Although the heavy rain was widespread, Louisville and Jefferson County appeared to have been hardest hit, with standing water closing numerous streets Friday and forcing emergency workers to make more than 160 water rescues, weather service and Louisville city officials said.
Jefferson County schools later cancelled school Friday. The high water caused headaches for other school districts.
In Grant County in Northern Kentucky, rescuers walked 16 students to safety after their bus became stuck in high water on the way to school Friday morning.