Flash flood warnings expand; severe thunderstorms possible til 9PM

Local flash flood warnings have expanded northward during the afternoon to include all of western Kentucky, and Massac and southern Pope counties in Illinois until 7:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service has used terms like "catastrophic," "historic," "life-threatening" and "a particulary dangerous major flash flood event" to describe what has been happening, and what will continue this evening through late tonight here and across Kentucky..

Most of western Kentucky, especially nearer to the Tennessee line, has already experienced flash flooding with 2 to 3 inches of rain. An additional average of 2 to 3 more inches is expected, and flash flooding conditions will worsen.

A band along southern Graves, Calloway and Trigg counties have already exceeded 3 inches of rain, and are projected to get a possible 6 to 8 inches of rain before it concludes late tonight.

Some thunderstorms this afternoon and evening may become severe in areas along the Kentucky-Tennessee border. Damaging wind gusts and possibly a brief tornado or two are the main threats.

Flash flood warnings are in effect for the entire length of the Kentucky-Tennessee state line. The entire state of Kentucky is under a state of emergency declared by the governor on Friday.