Насыщенная почва после ливней повышает риск наводнений во всем Кентукки

Saturated soil raises flooding risk across Kentucky after recent heavy rain Clay-heavy soil drains slowly, leaving little room for additional rainfall, meteorologist says LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Recent heavy rainfall has left soil across the state completely soaked, contributing to localized flooding in some areas. When rain falls, some water soaks into the ground through a process called percolation. Soil can only hold a limited amount of water. Once the small air spaces within the soil fill with water, the ground becomes saturated and additional rainfall has nowhere to go. Soil type plays a role in how quickly water drains. Much of Kentucky has clay-heavy soil, which is made up of very small, flat particles packed tightly together. That composition makes it harder for water to move through. In clay soil, water may drain at a rate of only 0.02 to 0.17 inches per hour. When rainfall comes down faster than the ground can absorb it and water cannot drain into a stream or storm drain quickly enough, it begins to build up. That buildup is what leads to localized flooding. Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.