People that live along the water’s edge know it’s not a matter of whether the water will rise to fill their home or business again, it’s only a matter of when. Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, is blessed (and cursed) to be built on the banks of the Kentucky River, a 255-mile-long river that travels across about one-sixth of the state of Kentucky.
If you have ever taken a tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery you may have noticed a small group of markers on the corner of Building #61. Those markers, dating back to 1883, indicate the high-water marks that have made their way into the distillery. If you know anything about the history of Kentucky the best known flood is the Great Flood of 1937. What fewer people know is that the high-water mark for Frankfort, the state’s capitol, occurred much later on March 4, 1978. It was on that date that the high-water mark was recorded at 48.5’, about a foot higher than the ’37 flood.
Over the past several weeks, Kentucky has experienced record high amounts of rain and snow leading to heavy flooding. The flooding is so bad that Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency.
Buffalo Trace Distillery Mudslide Drops Part of the Bank into the Kentucky River
All that high water did some damage at the National Historic Landmark distillery on Monday, February 24, when a portion of the ground gave way to a mudslide and took with it a Conex cargo container and temporary office. Fortunately, no one was using this part of the property at the time, and no one was injured.
Buffalo Trace Distillery released the following statement about the incident.
“In the early morning hours of February 24, 2025, a weather-related mudslide occurred on the northeast side of Buffalo Trace Distillery along the Kentucky River. Crews are still assessing the situation; however, at this time, we know the mudslide resulted in one Conex cargo container and one temporary office falling into the river.
“No team members were near the area at the time of the mudslide, and the affected property was properly roped off to ensure the safety of those at the Distillery. Buffalo Trace Distillery will work closely with professionals to ensure proper cleanup.
“Production, as well as tours and visitation at the Distillery, are not disrupted by the mudslide.”
Here are some before and after aerial views at the Buffalo Trace Distillery where you can see the damage caused by the mudslide.
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Gov. Beshear Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for Kentucky Following February Flooding
Gov. Andy Beshear announced that President Donald Trump has approved his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, which includes public assistance for local governments and individual assistance for Kentuckians in the 10 counties affected by the most recent storms.
Those counties are Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike. Additional designations and counties may be added at a later date if warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
The Governor requested the assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last week and traveled to the White House on Friday to push for the additional aid. Today, the President approved the request. The approval makes immediate-need and cleaning and sanitizing money open to those who qualify.
“We are thankful to President Trump and his administration for approving this funding. This support will be a big help for our families and communities as they recover and rebuild from yet another terrible storm,” Gov. Beshear said. “During these tough times we see why Kentuckians are so special – we rally together to help each other, and I am so proud to be Governor of this great commonwealth. Just like before, we will get through this – together. And I promise that we will be there as long as it takes – until every life and structure is rebuilt.”
Federal funding is also available to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding in the 10 counties.
Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire state.
Jeremy Slinker, former director of Kentucky Emergency Management who currently serves as a coordinating officer for FEMA, has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App.
President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Kentucky
FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides from Feb. 14, and continuing.
The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available to the Commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance in Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire Commonwealth.
Aerial Video of the Kentucky River Mudslide
WLKY TV News Chopper flew over the mudslide at Buffalo Trace Distillery. The collapse went all the way up to asphalt behind some of the bourbon facility’s central buildings, causing a loss of some property into the Kentucky River.
WLKY NewsChopper flew over a mudslide at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort Monday. The collapse went all the way up to asphalt behind some of the bourbon facility's central buildings, causing a loss of some property into the Kentucky River: https://t.co/M5IMp5tysl pic.twitter.com/p3cNnHUJ67
— WLKY (@WLKY) February 24, 2025
The Kentucky River — A Blessing and a Curse
The Floods — It’s not a matter of whether the Kentucky River will rise to fill this room with water again, it’s when.
Before Highways, Rivers were the Highways. When Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr., started the O.F.C. Distillery riverboats brought in coal, lumber, grain, livestock, dry goods, and supplies. Then boats carried the whiskey downriver to markets along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as far as New Orleans. River water was and is used for cooling (distilling is a hot process), as well as for fire suppression (a constant threat).
“We have grown accustomed to the river with all of our distilling experience along it. She will rise as she wishes and we will scramble into action until she goes back to bed. ”
Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, 2017
Buffalo Trace Distillery High Water Marks
| Date | Flood Level |
|---|---|
| December 1978 | 48.5’ |
| April 1937 | 47.6’ |
| March 1997 | 45.2’ |
| February 1989 | 44.9’ |
| February 1883 and May 2010 | 42.8’ |
| April 1972 | 42.2’ |
| May 1984 | 41.5’ |
| March 1962 | 40.6’ |
Learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery.
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