By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

FRANKFORT, Ky. — What started out as a dry spring turned extremely wet and deadly last weekend as rivers and streams poured out of their banks after as much as 10 inches of rain fell in many areas of the state.

Totals were much higher to the south in Tennessee where, according to some reports, an estimated 16 inches or more of rain fell.

As of May 8, the death toll had risen to 22 in the Volunteer State, with the number of counties being declared federal disaster areas growing.

“I appreciate that President Obama and other federal officials continue to expedite our requests and announce declarations for additional counties,” said Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen. “This will be tremendously helpful to Tennesseans who suffered losses as they work to rebuild, and I look forward to seeing more counties authorized in coming days.”

Most major waterways in both states exceeded flood stages. The Kentucky River topped out at approximately 42.82 feet, more than 10 feet over flood stage. The excess water made its way into houses and streets and farmland all across the state.

With all the damage, there was a flurry of action from commonwealth and national officials once the flood waters had peaked.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency and has requested a disaster declaration from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, as a result of severe storms and flooding.

“Preliminary reports indicate that Kentucky farmers have lost crops, livestock and incurred damage to buildings and infrastructure,” said Beshear. “The severe storms and flooding have impacted all facets of Kentucky’s agricultural industry and assistance from the USDA is critical and necessary to offset resulting income losses.”

Specialists at the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture said state wheat and corn growers are waiting to see the extent of damage on their crops.

Jim Herbek, grain crops specialist said crops can survive up to 72 hours underwater without sufficient damage if temperatures are below 70 degrees. Warmer temperatures will decrease the amount of time young corn plants can survive underwater.

Unfortunately, those cooler temperatures didn’t arrive until last weekend, days after the floods occurred. “Temperatures warmer than 75 to 80 degrees are probably the worst-case scenario,” he said.

The latest available statistical information from the USDA showed 83 percent of the state’s crop has been planted and 59 percent has emerged, well ahead of the state’s five-year average of 59 percent planted and 30 percent emerged. Corn growers got off to an early start this year because of the dry warm weather experienced in March and early April.

According to information from UK, anywhere from 35 to nearly 70 percent of crops in Western Kentucky were underwater at one point. Cooperative Extension Service agents expect an approximate 10 to 20 percent loss of the corn crop, however, “in some areas, like Ohio County, which has the majority of its corn underwater, it’s estimated that as much as 60 to 70 percent of the crop could be lost and need replanting.”

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) spoke last week on the Senate floor about the flooding.

“I’ll be sending a letter to the President today in support of Kentucky’s request for a major disaster declaration, which would provide direct federal logistical support and cost sharing assistance to mitigate the effects of the flooding,” he said. “Our prayers are with the victims of the flooding in both the Commonwealth and in her sister state of Tennessee and our gratitude goes out to the first-responders and emergency personnel rendering aid to the impacted communities.”

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer sent a request to the state’s congressional delegation asking them to help in speeding up the assistance process, noting the action already taken by Beshear.

“However, USDA’s process in reviewing such requests is a long one,” Farmer wrote. “In light of this, and because of the widespread damage to Kentucky’s agricultural industries, I am urging you to join with me in requesting that USDA provide more immediate substantive assistance.”

He also noted that, “The hard work of Kentucky’s farm families is responsible for a significant portion of the state’s economy. And of course, were it not for farmers, we would not have the food and fiber upon which our lives depend. They need our help today.”
Frankfort was hit particularly hard as much of the farmland in the county lies near the Kentucky River and Elkhorn Creek.

Keenan Bishop who serves as the UK ag extension agent for Franklin County said it was too early to know just how much damage has been done, but there is a lot to do.

“We are going to be dealing with removing and disposing of debris. There are going to be farmers that lost either annual or perennial crops that were seeded prior to the flood that had emerged whether it’s corn, alfalfa, clover and things like that,” he said. “If they were up and underwater for multiple days, they will probably have to replant.”

Farmers are being reminded to report livestock losses to their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

More information on flood damage to crops and replanting is available in the UK publication AGR-193: Evaluating Flood Damage in Corn and AGR-195: Replanting Options for Corn. Both are available online at www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr193/agr193.pdf and www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr195/agr195.pdf, respectively.
Information about USDA Disaster Assistance Programs and the Secretarial Disaster Designation process are available at www.fsa.usda.gov by clicking on the Disaster Assistance Program link in the left-hand column.