Flooding in Kentucky sparks rescues, evacuations for seniors

Up to 5 inches of rain slammed parts of Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.

March 1, 2021, 1:51 PM

Up to 5 inches of rain has slammed parts of Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Maryland, leaving residents stranded, roads washed out and buildings flooded.

PHOTO: An abandoned car is surrounded by flood water on Kentucky Route 7 in Salyersville, Ky., March 1, 2021.
An abandoned car is surrounded by flood water on Kentucky Route 7 in Salyersville, Ky., March 1, 2021.
Ryan C. Hemens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP

In London, Kentucky, the London-Laurel County Rescue Squad used a raft to rescue a woman trapped in her car Sunday night.

In Salyersville, Kentucky, a nursing home evacuated its residents due to a high risk of flooding, the staff told local station WYMT-TV.

In Powell County, Kentucky, all learning is remote on Monday due to the flooding.

Thunderstorms also brought damaging winds to Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, knocking down power lines and trees.

PHOTO: Flood waters surround Rockhouse Freewill Baptist Church in Johnson County, Ky.,  March 1, 2021.
Flood waters surround Rockhouse Freewill Baptist Church in Johnson County, Ky., March 1, 2021.
Ryan C. Hemens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP
PHOTO: A street in downtown Paintsville, Ky., is flooded, March 1, 2021.
A street in downtown Paintsville, Ky., is flooded, March 1, 2021.
Ryan C. Hemens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP

Officials are urging residents to drive with extra caution.

Although the heavy rain has subsided, flood warnings remain in effect Monday due to saturated grounds and swollen creeks and rivers.

PHOTO: Ricky Keeton, left, of the Oil Springs Fire Department, and Michael Oiler, of the Thelma Fire Department, conduct a water rescue in Paintsville, Ky., March 1, 2021.
Ricky Keeton, left, of the Oil Springs Fire Department, and Michael Oiler, of the Thelma Fire Department, conduct a water rescue in Paintsville, Ky., March 1, 2021.
Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP
PHOTO: Michael Oiler, left, of the Thelma Fire Department, and Ricky Keeton, of the Oil Springs Fire Department, conduct a water rescue in Paintsville, Ky., following heavy rain on March 1, 2021.
Michael Oiler, left, of the Thelma Fire Department, and Ricky Keeton, of the Oil Springs Fire Department, conduct a water rescue in Paintsville, Ky., following heavy rain on March 1, 2021.
Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP

The rain is now moving Southeast. Heavy rain is in the forecast through Wednesday morning from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Charleston, South Carolina.

The heaviest rain will likely be Monday night through Tuesday night with scattered thunderstorms and isolated flash flooding. Some spots could see 2 to 4 inches of rain.

In the Northeast, arctic air is about to return.

Wind advisories and high wind warnings are in effect through Tuesday morning from Washington, D.C., to New York City to New England. Wind gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph.

By Tuesday morning, the wind chill -- what it feels like -- will plunge to -3 degrees in Boston, 12 degrees in New York City and 9 degrees in Pittsburgh.