By Seth Helton
Murray, KY – Smithland is one of the areas hardest hit by the storm system moving through our area. Since Tuesday morning sixty residents have voluntarily evacuated from their homes in response to the flood threat. Emergency personnel are nearing completion of a levee along the riverfront in the city of Smithland. Livingston County Emergency Management Director Brett Stringer:
"We're using a portable levee system brought in by the army corps of engineers from a company down in Nashville that has really expedited the building of the temporary levee. It's a lot faster than if we were actually having to put sandbags out there, in which we would be having to put about 100,000 sandbags (out)."
Stringer estimates the levee will be complete within the next 60 hours. Evacuation for residents is not currently mandated by any officials. Evacuees without alternative shelter can find rest and food at a Tri-county shelter in Paducah.