A prolonged, widespread heavy rainfall event was associated with a cold front that moved very slowly east across the Lower Ohio Valley. The front became the focus for heavy rain as it nearly stalled across western Kentucky and southwest Indiana. Abundant moisture moved northeast along and just behind the front. This moisture interacted with a series of upper level disturbances to further increase heavy rainfall. A very large and persistent area of moderate rain caused a slow but steady rise in water levels. Rainfall amounts averaged about two inches every 12 hours, resulting in storm-totals from 4 to 5 inches. Small creeks, streams, and ditches reached or exceeded bankful. Numerous roads susceptible to high water problems were closed or impassable. Major roads that were closed included portions of U.S. Highway 45 and Kentucky Highway 58 in Graves County, a segment of U.S. Highway 62 in Carlisle County, Kentucky 131 at the McCracken/Graves County line, Highway 94 in Fulton County, Kentucky 762 in Daviess County, Kentucky 138 in Webster County, a portion of U.S. 60 in Union County, and three miles of U.S. Highway 60 in Henderson County. Most other closed roads were smaller secondary or county roads. Major roads that were marked with high water signs included: U.S. 641 just north of Hazel in Calloway County, Kentucky Highways 80 and 307 in Hickman County, U.S. 51 in Hickman County, U.S. Highways 62 and 41 in Hopkins County, and the Pennyrile Parkway off-ramp at Mannington. Dozens of other county or poorly-travelled state roads across the region were marked with high water signs. Some larger streams and small rivers flooded, including the Clarks River in Calloway and Marshall Counties. Several roads near the Clarks River were closed or marked with high water signs. Water levels continued to rise, even after the rain ended. Rainfall totals for the entire event from late on Dec. 3 to early Dec. 6 included: 5.02 inches at Paducah, 4.94 at both Benton and Calvert City (Marshall County), 4.80 at Golden Pond (Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area), 4.06 at Canton (Trigg County), and 3.97 at Calhoun (Mclean County).

Flood in BALLARD, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 14:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BANDANA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flooding from Clanton Creek completely covered a small old bridge on a rural secondary road near Bandana. Other small roads near Clanton Creek were flooded.

Flood in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 14:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PADUCAH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A couple of water rescues were conducted. The first water rescue involved a vehicle that ended up in a water-filled ditch in a remote part of the county. The other rescue involved a family that went duck-hunting, and the boat began to sink. The boating accident occurred along the Ballard County line. In both cases, flooding was not the primary cause of the incident. There were no serious injuries.

Flood in FULTON, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FULTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in HICKMAN, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEULAH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in CARLISLE, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARLINGTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in CRITTENDEN, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOLU
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITHLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in HENDERSON, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDERSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in UNION, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 20:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: UNIONTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 23:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALMO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 23:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARMACK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 23:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFFALO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 05-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRINCETON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 05-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HOP)FT CAMPBELL AAF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flood in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 05-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: OWENSBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A total of 25 roads were closed, most of which were secondary or side roads.

Flood in MCLEAN, KENTUCKY
From 05-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEECH GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

At least 7 roads were closed, mostly in the Livermore area.

Flood in HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
From 05-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAWSON SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

At least 5 state highways and 3 county roads were closed.

Flood in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALVERT CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

At least 5 county roads were closed, and high water was over two others.

Flood in GRAVES, KENTUCKY
From 04-DEC-11 18:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAYFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

At least 5 state roads were closed or marked with high water signs.

Flood in MUHLENBERG, KENTUCKY
From 05-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSEWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in TODD, KENTUCKY
From 05-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALLEGRE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flood in WEBSTER, KENTUCKY
From 05-DEC-11 15:00:00 to 06-DEC-11 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROVIDENCE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Street flooding was widespread in downtown Slaughters.