As flood waters in western Kentucky are beginning to lower and settle, officials report they are working to give local aid and apply for national aid following the weekend’s flooding in western Kentucky. FEMA workers coupled with Kentucky Emergency Management workers are going from house to house in flood-impacted counties to document the damage for use in federal emergency aid applications.
Eric Gibson, Director of Kentucky Emergency Management, asked flood victims to document and photograph all the damage to their house and belongings down to the serial numbers of their appliances.
“In case one of the local officials show up to get those pictures, you got photos of the damage that occurred on your property. As those officials will be coming around over the next few days, we’re going to do a hasty inspection to try to get this declaration submitted as quickly as we can to the president. And then those inspections will go on for many days after that,” Gibson said.
Gibson said these applications and documentation are for individual, federal support. The applications will allow for both rental assistance and clean and sanitize dollars that help victims recover.
The most documented counties will be approved for aid first. Officials stress that any counties that do not receive the first round of aid will receive it in subsequent amendments in a timely manner.
As of Tuesday morning 35 households were being sheltered and 868 were without water. 4,000 were under Boil Water Advisories.
Jim Gray, Kentucky Secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, advised those driving to avoid flooded roads.
“This is an unprecedented event, I want to emphasis that, so please make safer choices. Our highway crews are still responding to high water, cleaning debris, repairing broken pavement and road breaks where they can- especially, of course, in western Kentucky districts,” said Gray.
Gray said to follow the slogan, ‘turn around, don’t drown’ when encountering flooded roads. Cabinet crews continue to detour traffic, make repairs, inspect bridges, and deliver water and supplies. Real time information on road closures is available at goky.ky.gov.