Bowling Green ratifies local emergency after April floods; residents urge faster fixes and aid

The Bowling Green Board of Commissioners on April 15 ratified a local state of emergency after heavy rains and multi-day flooding damaged homes and infrastructure across parts of the city and county.

The action formalizes the city's earlier declaration and clears the way for state and federal assistance if the president issues a disaster declaration. City staff said FEMA teams were in Bowling Green to verify damage assessments and urged affected residents to register at the Buchanan Park site being used for intake and verification.

The emergency matter followed extended public comment from residents of Stonecrest, Cave Mill Road and neighboring subdivisions who described repeated or historic flooding at finished-floor elevations, ruined personal property and displacement. "My garage was about 5 foot of water in it," said Marshall Beech, who lives on Cave Mill Road and said the flood left hardwood floors buckled and destroyed business equipment. "I…