FALMOUTH, Ky. — Evacuation orders for Falmouth and Butler in Pendleton County have been lifted for emergency services and residents.
"Residents must show proof that they live in the city limits of Butler before they are allowed in," reads a social post from Pendleton County Emergency Management.
The town's sewer system is still shut down, however. Residents are advised not to flush toilets or let water go down any drains to prevent a possible backup. Portable toilets are available at the Butler Baptist Church.
Access to Falmouth was closed off Sunday afternoon to anyone other than residents after flooding from the Licking River cut off roads and made conditions dangerous.
Pendleton County officials said they would begin the process of restoring utilities to all residents Monday afternoon. They said an adult must be on site before any utilities will be turned back on.
For electric and water, call 859-654-6937. For gas, call 513-781-8784. The city said it would cease restoration after 6 p.m., and that if you need assistance after that, to call 800-544-6900.
The Licking River crested at 38.5 feet, just below a 'major' flood stage.
Watch drone video of some of the impacts in Falmouth in the video below:
WCPO 9 came across neighbors in Falmouth helping an elderly woman move her belongings out of her home.
"Most of the people here doesn't know the homeowner, they just seen us back up here with the trailer and they just stop and say 'can we help' and they just come in and start helping," said Gary Galloway, who was among the group helping.
We spoke with one man who was riding out the floodwaters, grilling on charcoal because the utilities had been turned off. Hear what he had to say in the video below:
In Butler, which sits further north along the Licking River, residents were given until 4 p.m. Saturday to leave town. After 4 p.m., utility services were not guaranteed, and access to the city would be limited.
Our WCPO 9 crews tried to get to Butler Sunday afternoon but were unable to get past roadways that were blocked due to high water.
We eventually were able to launch a drone to see Route 177 into the city cut off due to the high waters.
The bridge over the Licking River into town was technically passable, but a curfew from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. was been put into place due to debris in the waterway, which reached a height just under the bottom of the bridge.
Butler was reopened to residents as of 4 p.m. Monday, but said utility services would be limited.
Butler's Mayor Mason Taylor said they were prepared for the flooding, but acknowledged it could be potentially historic.
"This is something we've grown accustomed to, unfortunately," Taylor said.
Kentucky Emergency Management told WCPO 9 on Saturday that the Kentucky National Guard is sending 24 guardsmen to Pendleton County.
