Rising water closing in on roads, homes
The rising Ohio River has closed the Cave In Rock Ferry, either closed or threatening almost a dozen county roads and tides are lapping ominously close to homes near Tolu. But so far, no one seems to think it's going to be as bad as 1997's flooding.
At least for now.
Larry Easley, who lives on First Street in Tolu, protected his home with sandbags eight years ago and he's keeping a close eye on the swirling backwater this time.
"Right now I'm not too worried," he said Tuesday. "When the water starts spreading out it takes a lot more to make it rise. It came up about six inches last night, but I don't think it's going to get to where it was in '97."
Of course with the forecast of more rain, things can change in a flash. The National Weather Service at Paducah issued a Flood Watch for Wednesday night and into Thursday morning which includes Crittenden, Livingston and Lyon counties. Widespread rainfall amounting to one to two inches is expected in a relatively short period of time on saturated ground. As a result, flooding of area creeks and rivers may be renewed or worsened, the National Weather Service said.
"With the Ohio River at or near the expected crest all this week, there is a good chance any more rain will put water over some additional roads," said Keith Todd, spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Transportation.
As of Wednesday, two state highways had been closed because of high water in Crittenden County. About six inches of water had crept across Sawmill Hollow on Ky. 135 between Tolu and Elizabethtown Landing Tuesday morning. It and Ky. 91 North at the ferry are closed (pictured in above photo).
Jim Carter, who farms near Crooked Creek, spent Tuesday gathering hay bales from low-lying areas.
"It looks like it could be bad if we continue to get more rain," Carter said.
Helen Miller, who lives on Water Street in Tolu, is paying particular attention to the water rising methodically about 100 yards behind her home.
"I'm the first one down here in Tolu that has to move out if it keeps coming up," said the 71-year-old widow.
Her home sits atop a small knoll, giving it a bit more protection than her detached garage and her son's barn which stands across a drainage ditch. Those two structures are in certain jeopardy if the water comes up a few more feet. On Tuesday afternoon, the water was only about 20 yards from the edge of her garage.
"I've had to move three times since 1950 because of the water," Miller said. "My house is 200 years old and in the attic you can still see mud left from the 1937 flood."
Donna Perryman looks out of the back window at Tolu Store where she works and points to the swollen Little Hurricane Creek.
"It's still in its banks right now, but barely," she said. "In '97, it got up to those fruit trees right behind the store."
The Ohio was at 47 feet Wednesday morning at Shawneetown and forecast to crest near 52 Sunday.
"If it gets to 50 feet, I will have to clear out the barn. At 52 feet it's in my garage," Miller said. "But there's no reason to worry about it. There's nothing you can do."
Ted Dalton, who has lived all his life in Tolu, says a few folks will have problems but there will not be widespread flooding unless the river goes to near 58 feet at Shawneetown.
A handwritten list tacked on a bulletin board at the Tolu Store was created by Tom Sherer before he died a few years ago. Others are keeping up with the list, which shows how high the water has gotten during floods since 1913.
In 1997, the list indicates a crest of 54.5 feet. It got two inches higher than that in 1979. You have to go back 40 years to find worse flooding, 56.4 feet in 1964. It was during each of those years that Miller had been forced to move her belongings out of the house and onto higher ground.
"You're going to help me if it gets that high aren't you?" Miller says looking at Dalton, who affirms that he and others will come to her rescue.
Tolu Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tony Alexander said residents should exercise extreme caution and be aware that rising waters that cover roads and highways can affect response time by firemen.
"With temperatures down near single digits this weekend, we just want residents to be extra cautious," Alexander said.
The river is expected to come within a foot of covering U.S. 60 in Smithland before it begins receding. However, emergency workers continued building a sandbag levy early this week. If the water comes across the highway in Smithland, traffic will be routed through a four-block detour above the courthouse.
In Henderson County, rising floodwaters have forced deer to cross U.S. 41 in the heavily traveled area near John James Audubon State Park and the approach to the twin bridges over the Ohio River, according to the Transportation Department. Early this week, road crews set up variable message boards in the heavily traveled area of U.S. 41 North to warn motorists of deer crossing the roadway.
While the rising river and its tributaries are causing problems for farmers, motorists and residents within their reach, mud and muck are playing their own havoc even on high ground.
Local cattleman Danny Chandler said it's "as muddy as I've ever seen it."
As early as late last week, he was having to pay special attention to feeding areas where young calves were getting stuck belly deep in the mud. Also, tractors are creating terrible ruts in pastures, he said.
The Crittenden-Livingston Water District is somewhat idled by the wet conditions. It has stopped construction of new water lines until the ground dries enough for crews to return to digging.
County Roads Closed
Cool Springs Road
Enon Church Road
Weston Road
Providence Road
Phin Croft Road
Barnett Chapell Rd.
E-town Landing Rd.
Blackford Road
Water Street in Tolu
Monroe Wesmoland Rd.
Gum Creek Road
Others that may be closed soon
Claylick Creek Road
Blackburn Church Road
Baker Hollow Road