BY DAVID MAMARIL HOROWITZ

david.horowitz@bgdailynews.com

Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott declared a state of emergency today amid what the city is calling historical flooding.

The hardest-hit areas within city limits are Nashville Road, Louisville Road, and Russellville Road corridors, said Debi West, public information officer for the City of Bowling Green, at a press conference this afternoon. There’s sporadic flooding throughout the city — among many other locations, Cave Mill Road, Brentwood Place, the Greystone neighborhood, Barberry Court and Sumter Way, she added. Brewster Lane has been significantly compromised as well, she said.

Warren County Emergency Management is working to establish a shelter for flood victims, West said, an announcement she expects to be made later today. The best way to get updates on temporary shelter is WCEM’s social media channels, she said.

While the city has recorded no loss of life, it expects loss of property to be substantial, according to West.

The storm sewer system and the cave system it relies on beneath it are both overwhelmed. All storm water and treated sanitary sewer water flows into the Barren River, and Drake’s Creek, which takes water from surrounding counties, flows into the Barren River as well. The river and the creek remain at flood stage and will stay there until the water can recede, West said.

Drake’s Creek, which has crested, will crest again at 7 p.m., West said. The Barren River, which has also crested, will also crest a second time, at 1 a.m., she said.

There is a high probability that flood waters are contaminated with raw sewage, which is extremely hazardous to people’s health, she said.

“Any water that you see that is flood water has the potential to have raw sewage in it at this point … People do not need to get into this water for any reason,” she said. 

“We want people to remain safe. Use extreme caution. Stay off the roads if they can. Stay out of flooded areas, and do not for any reason cross road barriers … Stay away from low lying areas … If you see water over a flooded roadway, don’t cross it.”

Law enforcement will be issuing citations to those caught driving around barriers, she said.

As of afternoon, the city tracked five sinkholes citywide due to the rain, at the Lovers Lane Soccer Complex, Normandy way, Sherwood Street, Sailor Avenue and Midsummer Street, she said.

A county sinkhole opened up on Lakemere Avenue in the Fountain Trace Subdivision, she said.

The city also expects sinkholes and stormwater basins to continue rising as groundwater pulses through, West said. Potholes are expected as well, she said.

The Bowling Green Fire Department has conducted two physical water rescues, one in a car and another from a county home.

Residents who see sinkholes are asked to call 393-3444 to report them. West also asked that residents use the disaster reporting form with the QR code being circulated on WCEM’s social media pages. 

“We need people to fill out that information,” she said.

The state of emergency declaration helps Bowling Green become eligible for FEMA reimbursement if the city meets certain thresholds for damage, West said.

Update around 5 p.m.: “City of Bowling Green is commencing construction of a temporary emergency access road for the residents of Spring Lakes and the KOA with the support of Scott and Ritter,” West stated.

Update around 5:10 p.m.: “The entire Spring Lakes subdivision and KOA campground are trapped. We are working to correct that as quickly as possible,” West added.