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Flash Flood — Laurel, KY

Nov 30, 1996

Rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts to 5 inches resulted in widespread flash flooding across the southeast Kentucky counties of Bell, Whitley, Harlan, McCreary, Knox, Letcher, Leslie, Clay, and Laurel. Numerous roads were flooded or washed out, and rock and mudslides resulted in additional damage. Numerous stores in downtown Middlesboro were flooded. The flash flood event evolved into a widespread flood event on December 1.

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5569664). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Laurel, KY

This event is one of many recorded floods in Laurel County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

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