Flooding causes problems in Big Sandy region

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

Heavy rain last week caused problems all across the Big Sandy region, forcing water over roadways, creating sinkholes, and causing mudslides and breaks in roads.

In Lawrence County, areas of Chapman Steet/2037, Gallup and Contrary were all blocked due to high water. Yellow Creek and Rt. 1760 off U.S. 23 were blocked along with Rt. 32 past Kimber’s Market going toward the Blaine Community Center. An area on Rt. 581 south off of Rt. 645 was to be temporarily closed due to the road being washed out, but Lawrence County Emergency Management director Travis Hughes said the state highway department hoped to have it reopened Monday evening.

There was also a mudslide on Rt. 3 south just before Donithon Road.

The Louisa Fire Department responded to the Left Fork of Little Blaine, where a vehicle was stuck in high water.

KY 1760, KY 32 at Blaine, KY 828 and KY 1 were all closed due to high water.

On Feb. 17, Martin County Emergency Management announced that Martin County had received nearly six inches of rain within 24 hours, causing roadway flooding and mudslides throughout the county as the Tug Fork continued to rise.

On Feb. 18, Martin County Emergency Management said that as of 4:45 a.m., the Tug River crested. Its peak height was 34.36 feet, which is slightly below action stage.

KY 40 at mile marker 5.5 in Tomahawk was impassable, and KY 292 was also closed due to high water.

Paintsville/Johnson County Emergency Management announced that KY 201 in Johnson County was down to one lane due to a washout.

Due to the heavy amounts of rainfall received Feb. 16 and 17, road embankment failures occurred on Burnt Cabin Tower Road, according to the Johnson County Road Department. Efforts to repair the road began Monday, with only residential access.

KY 201 in Johnson County was down to one-lane traffic due to embankment failure, and KY 1596 Boons Camp and KY 40 in Oil Springs were closed due to high water.

In Floyd County, flooding was reported in the area of Abbott Creek, Bucks Branch Road in Martin, the Martin Baseball Field, KY 680 at the Old McDowell High School, KY 122 at Minnie Ballpark, and KY 1210 in Martin.

Also closed were KY 1427 at Abbott Creek; KY 1210 at May Valley; KY 122 and KY 122 at Minnie; KY 777 at Turkey Creek; KY 7/KY 1086; KY 194; and KY 3385.

A mudslide in Mingo County, W.Va., knocked three homes from their foundation and pushed six loaded train cars over, flipping them on their side and sending the coal into the creek.

Students across the region were sent home early on Thursday as heavy rains moved in. In some instances, school closings were delayed until the water receded, and students at Lincoln County High School in West Virginia had to spend the night due to the flooding.