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Update: Since this article has been published in the weekly paper, flood levels for the Kentucky River at Lock 8, Camp Nelson, had a slight increase late night Wednesday, Feb. 19 bringing the area of the river up to 37 feet, only a foot above the marker for what is considered “moderate flooding” by waterdata.usgs.gov, with a steady decrease since then and now in the minor flooding range. Kentucky River Lock 7, High Bridge water levels have been on the steady decline since Wednesday night, getting closer to falling below minor flood levels.

Levels are forecast by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOOA) to continue to decrease, but water from Eastern Kentucky and snow may keep floodwaters around through next week. 

Also, by Wednesday, the Old Habits Marina from Boonesboro had fully passed through the Jessamine County’s 43 miles of the Kentucky River.

“Some of the crafts were wedged up on the Garrard County side of Camp Nelson. At least 1 was able to be recovered by the owner on his own. We have multiple images throughout the county but it appears that much of it got snagged and dislodged pieces along the way,” Read a Facebook Post by the Jessamine County Emergency Management Agency

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The weekend’s rain storms brought floodwaters to Jessamine County, with Kentucky River levels at Camp Nelson and High Bridge rising up to 37 feet on Sunday, Feb. 16. Jessamine County Emergency Management Agency Director Johnny Adams predicts that with flood waters from Eastern Kentucky, and snow melting, Jessamine County will have flood water conditions through next week. 

As of Tuesday, Feb. 18, water levels remain at minor to moderate flood levels. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Camp Nelson river level was 37 feet, and the High Bridge river level was 34 feet Tuesday afternoon. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOOA) forecasts that river levels will only begin to return to normal in the late night of Saturday, Feb. 22. But, Adams said that river communities will likely deal with high waters for another week. In addition to the increased water flow from the major flooding in Eastern Kentucky, the snow, which is expected to melt, could sustain flood levels this week.

“The river flooding which is still ongoing as of now has not reached major levels. The water is still rising, but much slower than the rapid rate of rise we saw while the rain showers were here earlier in the week. Right now everyone is safe. We’ve had no reports of any injuries. I have contact with several people in these communities, I’ve been touching base with them each day. Nobody is in any need, they kind of just are [hanging] in there,” Adams added that if anyone did need emergency assistance in flooded areas that the Fire Department would help retrieve individuals in their home by boat. 

Although no injuries or deaths have been reported in Jessamine County, this flooding was devastating for Southeastern Kentucky. Perry County was one of the counties hit hard by flooding in 2022, and some were still cleaning up from that disaster when this weekend’s flood hit the county once again. The death toll of the flooding and winter weather is at 14 people. 

The Brooklyn Road community, High Bridge, Wilmore, and Camp Nelson have all been impacted by high waters. While most families have not dealt with flooding in their home, some have had basement flooding, and many are dealing with road closures. Individuals throughout some of these communities have been using kayaks and canoes to get around. Camp Nelson RV Park in Garrard County was evacuated by the fire department and the Garrard County Emergency Agency. The RV park is almost completely under water. 

“As soon as we can, we’re gonna get into those communities and start to begin preliminary damage assessment, which we hoped to do today, but we’ve been chasing this runaway marina all day,” Adams said. 

The Old Habits Marina from Boonesboro had several house boats, pontoons, and several structures ripped away from the area and has been floating down the river throughout Tuesday, Feb. 18.  

The EMA has kept an eye on the marina and has contacted counties upstream about the debris. Spectrum data lines were restrung on Tuesday after being taken down by some of the marina debris. 

Kathy Milans lives right on the river, near High Bridge itself. “We were very fortunate, [the water] didn’t even get up to our garage area,” Milans said. 

Milans’ home is also on stilts, though, as she and her husband built their home with flooding in mind–high up with an open garage to allow for water flow. 

Some houses in the area, however, are lower and closer to the river. “I don’t know that anybody had water in their house except maybe the Durhams down here, possibly. They’re lower than everybody else. I think they had water before,” she said. “People are gonna have to clean the basements out. It’s not fun, but they’re used to doing that.”

Right now, Milans and her husband are not able to leave their neighborhood since floodwaters and a fallen tree are blocking the road. “But we did really well compared to what it could have been. We’re very fortunate,” she said.