As of May 5, the lakes and wall is still buying Smithland more time.
“It still may overtop, but it probably would’ve overtopped earlier this week,” said Louisville District Water Management Team Leader Bill Byron.
While water still may exceed the wall’s height and move into Smithland, Corps projects have undoubtedly been pushed to the limit, and they’ve done exactly what they are designed to do. But these rains are historic, said Louisville District Commander Col. Keith Landry.
“You are seeing historical levels of water across Kentucky, but you’re not seeing historic levels of damage due to water,” Landry said. “We are holding it back in flood reduction reservoirs (lakes).”
As a precaution, local officials have evacuated Smithland.
See more photos from the flood fight in Smithland in the Louisville District's Flickr album.
Thanks to Nashville District Videographer Richard Scott for filming.
This article was reproduced with full permission from the US Army Corps of Engineers - Louisville District.
