Hopkinsville, KY — Downtown Hopkinsville spent Sunday under the hum of sump pumps and the rush of draining water, as residents and business owners tackled cleanup efforts after days of relentless rain.
An estimated 10 inches of rainfall deluged the city, triggering widespread flooding that impacted neighborhoods and commercial districts alike. Areas along the Little River took the brunt of the floodwaters, while other pockets of the city experienced sudden flash floods as rainfall intensity peaked.
“This kind of back-to-back extreme weather is something I haven’t seen in my career,” said Hopkinsville Fire Chief Steven Futrell. His department has conducted more than 20 rescues since the storm system moved in, the majority of which occurred on Thursday, the day the worst of the weather hit.
As water levels slowly recede, first responders have shifted their focus. “We’re now helping people with medication needs and hospital transfers,” Futrell added. “There was a surge in patients who couldn’t be transported initially, so we’ve been coordinating transfers to both Nashville and Louisville.”
Despite the recovery efforts, for many residents, the storm was yet another blow. Tony Kirves, owner of Southern Exposure Photography, said his business is still recovering from a pipe burst just two months ago — and now floodwaters have added to the hardship.
City officials emphasized that this flood was unlike anything seen in recent memory, with some areas flooding for the very first time.
As the community begins the long road to recovery, one thing is clear: Hopkinsville has weathered a historic storm, and it will take a united effort to bounce back.
