Flood issues pile on in Powell County amid mudslide

Published 1 month ago• 2 minute read

POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — For people living in Clay City, flooding comes with the territory.

Kentucky’s Red River runs right through it. But some residents weren’t able to get to safety before floodwaters surrounded their homes.

Powell County’s Judge Executive Eddie Barnes said the county’s search and rescue team had to execute several water rescues.

Barnes looked on the brighter side of things.

“No injuries, no deaths. So that’s always a plus,” he added.

As the waters began to recede on Sunday, it seemed like there was a light at the end of the tunnel, then another issue presented itself. A mudslide.

Barnes met with FOX 56 at the mudslide in Slade. He said it’s the third one the county has seen in the past week.

“This one here is probably one of the most dangerous ones because this area here is known for tourists, Airbnbs, and cabin country,” Barnes added. “We’re not doing the mandatory evacuation but recommend the people up here either go ahead and vacate or risk the probability of not getting out.”

With the Red River Gorge’s tourism season about to kick into full gear as temperatures rise, Barnes hopes the county will get the help it needs as soon as possible.

“Hopefully, President Trump will declare us part of the disaster area here for the state of Kentucky. That way, we can get FEMA in here to help them out,” said Barnes.

County officials said they would be monitoring the mudslide. But with a lot of the rain now moving out of the area, they said that should help the land from deteriorating even more.

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