POSSIBLE THREAT TO KENTUCKY AND OHIO VALLEY AGRICULTURE FROM HURRICANE ISIDORE REMNANTS RAIN, WIND LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 24, 2002) -- Agricultural producers in Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley need to be aware of the potential for torrential rain and wind in the next couple of days. Tom Priddy, UK agricultural meteorologist said hurricane Isidore’s current path could push as much as four to six inches of rainfall into the area by Friday. Rains well ahead of Isidore will likely begin Wednesday night over counties in southern Kentucky, then the bulk of the precipitation will occur Thursday and Thursday night as the storm tracks northeast to Nashville by Friday, he said. The system will likely exit quietly on Friday morning since it’s completely engulfed in the westerly winds. Priddy said however that parts of the Bluegrass State would experience heavy rain threats for 12 to 24 hours. Agricultural producers should take precautions to minimize the impact of heavy rain, gusty winds and possibly severe weather as the remnants of Isidore approach Kentucky over the next 48 to 60 hours. Farmers should think about accelerating or completing any harvest activities over the next 48 hours, Priddy said. Also, if livestock are currently in lower lying areas, producers should think about moving them to higher ground or taking whatever precaution needed to minimize livestock loss. The most important thing producers can do is to get the latest weather information from local media, or NOAA weather radio. This is still a very dynamic situation and changes could occur, Priddy said. (30) Contact: Tom Priddy 859-257-8803, ext 245