Franklin County, KY – While floodwaters have receded, Franklin County residents are now facing a new crisis: rock and mudslides that continue to threaten roads, homes, and businesses.
According to officials, the recent severe weather has left the ground unstable, leading to multiple landslides, including one near Buffalo Trace Distillery and another off Glenns Creek Road. Experts warn that the shifting terrain could pose risks for weeks to come.
Franklin County Judge Executive Michael Mueller believes that a combination of past construction practices and natural forces have contributed to the issue. “Years ago, before planning and zoning regulations were in place, people may have built where they shouldn’t have,” Mueller said. “To a certain extent, Mother Nature is not happy.”
Local residents, like Jason Combs, who has lived on the river for 22 years, are no strangers to the challenges posed by flooding and erosion. “That’s part of living on the river,” Combs said. While he considers himself lucky this time, he has noticed damage to his riverbank due to the high water and freezing temperatures.
“The dirt, the ground, the water—when it moves, it takes everything with it,” Combs explained. “You can have a bank right here, and within two or three feet, it can just slide.”
Mueller emphasized the importance of road closures and safety warnings, urging residents to stay alert as the land continues to settle. “The ground is still thawing after weeks of cold and rain,” he said. “That’s why we’re seeing these issues now.”
Officials will continue monitoring roads and waterways closely in the coming days and weeks, hoping to prevent further damage and ensure public safety.
