U.S.
Historic flooding forces cancellation of Thunder Over Louisville air show
Stars and Stripes
April 6, 2025
River Road and the boat dock at 4th Street in Louisville, Ky., are under about 4 feet of water on April 5, 2025. This year’s Thunder Over Louisville air show, scheduled for April 12, has been canceled because of flooding on the banks of the Ohio River. (Dale Greer/U.S. Air National Guard)
Flooding along the banks of the Ohio River has forced the cancellation of this week’s Thunder Over Louisville air show in Kentucky.
The show, scheduled for Saturday, was to feature aerial demonstrations from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, and pararescuemen from the Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron.
Matt Gibson, president and CEO of Thunder sponsor Kentucky Derby Festival, said organizers were left with no option after Louisville had received more than 5 inches of rain since Thursday. More rain is expected Sunday.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District has developed the Rough River Lake Viewer — an inundation map for residents and emergency planners.
“With the incoming rainfall impacting Rough River Lake, it is crucial for all affected communities to be prepared for elevated water levels,” Adam Connelly of the USACE said in a news release. “These inundation maps offer valuable insight into what impacts may be realized at different elevations, but actual conditions will depend on specific event factors.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Wednesday in anticipation of a series of storm fronts that have spawned multiple tornadoes and major flooding across the Commonwealth.
A C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing airdrops six pararescuemen from 3,500 feet during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in Louisville, Ky., April 20, 2024. (Dale Greer/U.S. Air National Guard)