LOUISA, Ky. — After days of pounding rain and snow on the state and region, Lawrence County has come out nearly unscathed, EMS director Travis Hughes said last night.
Hughes, who has drawn excellent reviews on his job of “getting to” people who need help in difficult times, says he is praying for our neighbors to the south, Pike and Martin Counties, both of which are still fighting the waters from the Tug and Levisa Forks of the Big Sandy.
Hughes said two mudslides and numerous roads have been covered with water and the damage to them has obviously not been assessed at this time.
Pikeville’s largest shopping centers were flooded including Walmart, JC Penney, Lowes and many nice restaurants that have located in the area along the banks of the Levisa.
In Warfield, nearly the same flooding that took place in the great 1977 floods, have happened again as the town’s grocery Store Copley’s Market was flooded to nearly the same degree as 1977.
THE TOP PHOTO SHOWS COPLEY’S MARKET IN THE 1977 FLOOD AND THE BOTTOM ONE WAS TAKEN YESTERDAY, FEB. 16, 2025
Thousands of customers statewide were left without power but many of them have been restored by Ky. Power. (See this morning update in Lazer)
Governor Andy Beshear delivered a message to Kentucky this morning. You can see the press conference by CLICKING on the picture below.
Hughes sent a message concerning Lawrence County’s situation:
“…Good evening, Mark! So sorry I’m just getting back to you I’m just now able to check my messages. Fortunately for us we have been in good shape unlike our neighbors and counties south of Lawrence Co. We are seeing multiple roads under water and that are impassable, we have some mudslides that have occurred, one on Donithon Road and the other on Mill Creek… Last report I saw we had 200 without power in Lawrence Co most of those were tree contact related.
No major issues have been reported to our 911 center. To my knowledge the river is supposed to crest at 42 feet by Monday evening. I do expect more flooding overnight and going into Monday obviously from all the water from south of Lawrence Co.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors and counties south of us. We are praying for them and will do anything we can to assist them with their needs. I’ve also been in constant communication with County Judge Phillip Carter briefing him with issues and flooding conditions throughout the county. We will reassess flooding conditions in the morning.
Thank you for all you do!
Travis Hughes
Lawrence County Emergency Management Director”
