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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Emergency responders shift to cleanup efforts as rivers recede
Some families returning home
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear today authorized a shift in emergency response operations as the Ohio and Mississippi rivers recede from their weekend crests in western Kentucky. Some evacuated families will be allowed to return home, and emergency officials are transitioning resources to damage assessment and cleanup efforts.
“Though the Ohio and Mississippi rivers have finally crested, in their wake they leave damage to communities, homes and businesses across western Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “My administration is working hard to get everyone the help they need to recover and rebuild.”
FEMA representatives are working alongside local officials and Kentucky Department of Emergency Management (KYEM) personnel to help determine which affected counties might be eligible for Individual Assistance (IA). IA provides federal and Small Business Administration assistance to individuals and families who have suffered damage to their primary residence due to the impact of the storms, flooding, strong winds and tornadoes that began April 21, 2011. Disaster-related personal expenditures associated with the impact of this event may also be eligible.
Emergency officials strongly encourage residents who have suffered property damage to notify their local emergency director so those damages can be added to countywide totals. Residents are also encouraged to take photos of damage to homes or businesses because of storms or flooding, and to keep any receipts for repairs. You can find your local emergency management director here: http://kyem.ky.gov/about/countyemdirectors.htm.
Some 3,800 people were evacuated last week as a result of the rising floodwaters. Officials in Fulton County have allowed some residents to return to their homes. However, the cities of Ledbetter and Smithland in Livingston County remain evacuated as officials continue to monitor levee and floodwall conditions. Officials estimate these communities may remain evacuated up to seven days as river levels continue their slow descent.
As water levels in lakes and rivers slowly recede, the Commonwealth Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) in Frankfort transitioned to Level II on Sunday evening. At Level II, KYEM and the Kentucky National Guard (KyNG) will continue to monitor weather and river forecasts, field calls and respond to requests for assistance. Protection of life and property of Commonwealth citizens remains Gov. Beshear’s top priority.
The Kentucky National Guard has deployed 443 Guardsmen in Fulton, Henderson, Livingston, Marshall, McCracken and Webster counties. Tasks include security patrols, evacuation missions, floodwall surveillance, damage assessment, sandbagging operations, and transportation of essential personnel and supplies via high-axle tactical vehicles.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, approximately 200 roads are closed in about 50 counties due to flooding. Emergency management officials remind drivers to avoid driving through flooded roadways and to report any downed power lines to their local utilities or emergency management. For road closures and conditions, please visit www.511.ky.gov, or call 511.
The Department of Public Health urges citizens to take precautions as they clean flood-damaged property. For information on public health issues related to flooding, visit: http://www.kyem.ky.gov/concernshomesafetyflooding/
Please visit http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lmk to monitor river and lake levels throughout Kentucky. You may also sign up for the U.S. Geological Society’s (USGS) Water Alerts, an application that allows you to receive updates at any of the sites where USGS collects real-time water information. Daily or hourly updates are sent via e-mail or text messages when the current conditions meet or surpass a threshold of concern that you determine. Sign up for USGS Water Alert at http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert.
You can also watch KYEM’s severe weather page, visit: http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/ky.php?x=1
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