National Weather Service forecasters are predicting that central Kentucky will feel the effects of Tropical Storm Cindy with periods of heavy rain, beginning Thursday morning and continuing through Saturday.
“The biggest threat to Lexington is the continued rainfall over several days,” said Tim Brandewie, Operations Manager for Lexington Emergency Management. “Low lying areas and roadways that usually flood will likely flood as what’s left of the tropical storm makes its way through the Bluegrass. The National Weather Service predicts as much as four inches of rain will fall by Saturday night.”
Here’s what you can do now to be prepared for a heavy rain event:
- Make sure gutters and downspouts are clean and free of debris. Make sure water can drain away from your house or business.
- If your basement is prone to flooding, move furniture or belongings to a higher level, or put them on blocks or shelving above floor level.
- Check your neighborhood street drains to make sure they’re open and clear.
- If your street, driveway or parking lot has flooded before, look now for an alternative parking area on higher ground. Move your car before flooding occurs.
Before the storm hits, take time out to check the following:
- Be Aware – Follow news and weather sources, TV and radio stations, social media accounts and websites. Download and update mobile phone apps to get updates and alerts about changing weather conditions.
- Check Your Kit – Make sure your emergency kit is up-to-date and stocked with what you need should you have to relocate due to flooding or other conditions. Food, water and medicines need to be replaced on a regular basis.
- Review Your Plan – Your emergency plan should include copies of important papers, phone numbers, a household inventory and an out-of-town contact in case family members become separated from the group. An out-of-town phone number will work more reliably than trying to reach someone in-town. Make sure everyone knows how to text message – A text will go through when a regular phone call won’t.
Residents can access information about Lexington government by calling LexCall, the city’s centralized service and information contact center. Most telephones can connect to LexCall by simply dialing 3-1-1. The regular number for LexCall is (859) 425-2255 and is answered Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Information about city programs and services is also available via the government website at www.lexingtonky.gov. Citizens may also receive news and information from the city’s Twitter account – @Lexkygov.
More information about emergency preparedness is available from the Division of Emergency Management website available at: www.BeReadyLexington.com. Information is also available through the Lexington Emergency Management Facebook page – @LexingtonKYEM and the division’s Twitter account: @Lexkyem.
