GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. — Potentially catastrophic amounts of rainfall prompted a Flash Flood Emergency declaration in western Kentucky Wednesday morning as waves of thunderstorms pushed through the region.
Already, 4-6 inches of rain have fallen in just a few hours early Wednesday morning, swamping roads in Hickman, Graves and Carlisle Counties in western Kentucky and prompting water rescues in Mayfield, according to the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky. Numerous homes and roads are flooded in the town of Wingo.
And more thunderstorms with heavy rain are developing upstream in Missouri, and are on the way through the morning to sweep through western Kentucky, promising as much as another 2-4 inches of rain through midday.
Meanwhile, those strong thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall were moving into Tennessee.
“Middle and northern Tennessee, what we’re seeing in western Kentucky — those are on your way (Wednesday),” said FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin.
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The Flash Flood Emergency remains in effect for western Kentucky until 7:45 a.m. CT but drenching thunderstorms will remain in the forecast through the morning – some of which may also reach severe levels. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the affected areas through 10 a.m. CT.
In addition to heavy rain, wind gusts of 70-80 mph are possible with any potential severe thunderstorm. Spotters reported widespread wind damage in Sedalia, Kentucky — an area inside the Flash Flood Emergency.
A lull in the storms is expected Wednesday afternoon and evening, but additional thunderstorms return to the forecast overnight Wednesday into early Thursday across western Kentucky into Tennessee.
“When you go to bed tonight in Tennessee, do not let your guard down,” Merwin said.
This is a breaking news situation. This story will be updated through the morning as more details become available.