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Rain that has battered Kentucky over the past several days will begin to move east Sunday, but residents will now have to contend with the threat of rising floodwaters as rivers and streams across the commonwealth continue to swell.
Some communities have already ordered evacuations for residents ahead of river crests anticipated to begin Sunday, with some rivers expected to exceed their flood stages by upward of 15 feet, according to estimates from the National Weather Service in Louisville.
While flooding has already impacted some areas of Louisville, Mayor Craig Greenberg said the Ohio River is now expected to crest at more than 35 feet at the upper portion of the McAlpine Locks and Dam near the Falls of the Ohio by mid-week, rivaling levels last seen in 2018. The lower portion of the dam is expected to crest at 68 feet, which could pose threats to west and southwest Louisville, officials said.
Here’s the latest information from around Louisville and Kentucky:
9:08 a.m.: Over 500 road closures reported in Kentucky
In a Facebook post Sunday morning, Gov. Andy Beshear said there were 539 road closures in Kentucky due to flooding, mudslides and a rockslide.
“Traffic is being rerouted in communities like Dawson Springs, and we’ve had 250 additional barricades delivered to Elizabethtown from Chicago,” Beshear said. “Kentuckians and communities have been affected across the state, and teams are working around the clock to support them.”
Beshear also advised residents to avoid flooded roadways and move to higher ground if necessary.
8:50 a.m.: NWS Louisville warns of river flooding, freezing temps
As rivers begin to crest in several areas across Kentucky, meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Louisville warn that freezing temperatures will follow for the Louisville metro and several other counties after the system that dumped inches of rain on the region for days finally moves out of the commonwealth.
A flood warning is in effect for the Louisville metro area until 11 a.m. Sunday. A freeze watch has also been issued, set to go into effect Tuesday from 1-10 a.m.
According to the latest forecast, nightly temperatures will begin to dip into the mid-30s Sunday night, but will fall into the upper 20s Monday evening. Readings are expected to return to the lower 30s Tuesday night before returning to somewhat seasonal levels Wednesday.
Some Kentucky rivers have already begun to crest, but many are expected to rise to their highest levels starting Monday. In Louisville, the Ohio River is expected to crest mid-week with significant impacts on riverside residences and businesses expected. NWS Louisville anticipates flooding will persist into the second half of April, according to a Sunday report.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky flooding updates: Rivers around KY begin to crest