New research project focuses on flash flooding in Appalachia

KENTUCKY ( FOX 56 ) — Communities in eastern Kentucky are still rebuilding after the devastating floods of July 2022. Heavy rains fell, around 14 to 16 inches of rain in just a few hours. Now, researchers are working to better predict and prevent these deadly disasters.

Kenton Sena, PhD, is a senior lecturer at the University of Kentucky’s Lewis Honors College and is also a researcher on this project.

“That flood event was certainly not like the first of its kind and clearly not the last of its kind, but I think sort of a wake up call,” Sena said.

Forty-five lives were lost, and nearly 9,000 homes were destroyed, leaving countless families with nothing. The National Weather Service said the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods were the deadliest non-tropical flooding event in the United States since the late 1970s.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

• ‘First of her kind’ creature introduced to Louisville Zoo
• The voice of Keeneland; meet the track’s first and only announcer
• Man charged in connection with child sexual exploitation investigation in Danville

Now, after another round of deadly flooding in western North Carolina, experts are racing to understand flash flooding in Appalachia.

“We’re particularly interested in understanding how flooding works. And in that region is kind of unique topographically. We have some unique opportunities because of our long term data, and, evaluate that in ways that then better understand how flooding and flood risk maybe is changing over time,” Sena said.

The four-year project is a team effort by engineers and scientists from several universities, including UK, the University of Louisville, Eastern Kentucky University, West Virginia University, and Marshall University.

Their goal is to help vulnerable communities prepare for the inevitable, when history repeats itself.

“We’re really interested in working with community members to better understand, like, what kinds of warning systems or technologies might work well in their local communities,” Sena said.

While the National Weather Service issues flash flood alerts, Sena hopes this new research will deliver more targeted warnings, down to a single holler to help save lives.

“I hope we deliver as a technology or a system that’s actually helpful for local communities. In a way that facilitates folks getting out, evacuating before a flash flood comes,” Sena said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.