FRANKFORT, Ky. (WCHS) — Many areas across eastern Kentucky are still trying to recover after damaging floodwaters two years ago.
However, some of the flood-related projects are not being covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, so municipalities are left to pick up the tab.
To help with those projects not covered by FEMA, the Eastern Kentucky State Aid for Emergencies, or SAFE Fund, was created. This week $23 million went to six cities, seven counties and one school board in areas affected by the floods. One of the seven counties was Floyd County who received $2.5 million to repair roads and bridges and buy homes in the floodplain.
“We not only purchase the homes but we also have to follow through with the demolition of the homes, take care of the title work and all that. It is overwhelming,” Robbie Williams, Floyd County Judge Executive, said.
The General Assembly put $212 million in the fund when it was created.
“During flooding between contractors and individuals, we probably had an additional up to 40 employees,” said Williams.
Other eastern Kentucky counties that also suffered substantial damage received money from the SAFE Fund.
“The disasters in Kentucky are getting bigger than the counties. What I mean by that is far bigger than the budgets that we could ever have to rebuild the hope that our people deserve,” Perry County Judge Executive Scott Alexandersaid.
Meanwhile, back in Floyd County, Williams says recovery is about one-third complete with hundreds of flood-related projects that may take more than five years to complete
HERE IS A PROGRESS REPORT ON RECOVERY EFFORTS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY:
- FEMA has approved Individual Assistance for 8,775 survivors, totaling more than $110.5 million under the Individual and Households Program.
- FEMA has provided over $84.7 million to acquire over 500 homes and help families move out of flood prone areas in five counties.
- 138 bridges have been either repaired or replaced.
- $297 million have been secured in federal disaster recovery funds to help areas rebuild.
- The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund has raised more than $13.4 million from over 41,500 donors. The fund paid the funeral expenses of the Kentuckians we lost, provided immediate relief payments directly to individuals who suffered property damage and is now being used to rebuild and repair homes with nonprofit partners.
- The Governor has announced seven high-ground communities in four counties that will bring over 500 new homes to the area.
