WINCHESTER, Ky. — The city of Winchester is under a state of emergency after rain Thursday drenched the town just 15 miles southwest of Lexington.
Winchester is once again dealing with significant damage after pounding rain led to rising floodwaters. The soaking came just seven months after the March 2021 flood in Winchester. Kentucky Utilities and the Winchester Fire Department had several crews around town to monitor the damage. Frames on Main owner Brenda Salyers is one of many residents that have flood damage.
“Water was that high so I got in my vehicle and went into the store. We are a frame shop so I had valuable artwork inside,” said Salyers.
Brenda Salyers artwork means everything to her and it is something she takes great pride in. She is a retired art professor from the University of Kentucky who owns the only frame shop in Winchester located on Main street where water is still drying up.
“The floor is already doing this,” said Salyers.
Salyers uses her hands to describe how her new wood floors are starting to buckle but she has a fan going to keep things dry for now. A painting near her entrance got water damage but she is glad her other artwork did not get damaged.
“It was so forceful that it actually broke the pavement up, I have never seen anything like it, ever. It is just the icing on the cake after all we have been through with COVID-19 the last couple of years. It is devastating," said Salyers.
Kentucky Utilities and the Winchester Fire Department were on scene cutting the power to Cartwrights and blocking off roads for any future dangers to residents. Next door to Brenda Salyer’s is Smokin’ Howard’s Grill and he did not receive any flood damage at all. Paul Howard is the owner and founder of the BBQ business.
“It is just one of those things that happens and it is sad. We will get through the storm, I think we will be fine,” said Howard.
The University of Kentucky Climate Consortium has previously stated flooding is something the Commonwealth will be seeing more of because of global warming.
“It is what it is, you pick up the pieces and you go on so that is what we are going to do,” said Salyers.
Picking up the pieces and continuing to go on is something all too familiar for flood victims. The Winchester Police Department posted on Facebook urging people to call 859-901-1555 if they have property damage so they can do a damage assessment.