Tuesday February 18, 2025
The Governor opened the Tuesday press conference by saying the ongoing response to flooding continues. He said he toured Pike County yesterday and viewed many areas, homes and businesses with significant damage.
Some businesses were beginning to clean up that at one point had 6-8 feet of water inside.
The death toll is now up to 14 fatalities statewide for this event. That includes 3 people in Pike County, 1 in Floyd County and 1 in Clay County.
Disaster Declarations have been received with 44 Counties written declarations and 13 verbal along with 23 cities have written declarations and 7 verbal.
KY National Guard, KSP, KYEM, Indiana and Tennesse Natural Guard had 800 response missions on Monday in 16 counties across Kentucky.
They helped evacuate 296 people from 2 apartment complexes in Martin County on Monday.
KY National Guard and KSP are shifting from search and rescue to recovery efforts to include debris removal, restoring access and transporting supplies.
The state is also working to pre-position National Guard assets for the coming snow storm including pre-treating roads.
There are still people without power across the region, mostly in eastern Kentucky and those who have had power restored may not have adequate heat due to flood damage to furnaces, heat pumps, etc.
The NWS says wind chills Thursday and Friday mornings will be at or below zero.
He encourages each county to open warming centers and for residents to make a decision today to use those if necessary.
He advises you to call your local county judge or emergency management office to see what warming shelters are available where you live.
The Governor spoke about the Team KY Storm Relief Fund where records are completely transparent, and every dollar goes to families affected by the flooding event.
As of this morning 561 donors had donated a little over $50,000.00 and the first amount of money raised will be used to pay the funeral of those residents who have passed away as a result of the flooding.
He thanked everyone for their generosity and invited anyone who felt led to donate at this website www.teamkystormrelieffund.ky.gov
The Kentucky EM operations teams are in the following counties today doing assessments: Clay, Perry, Leslie, Letcher, Knott, Breathitt, Harlan, Floyd, Pike and Martin Counties
The KY National Guard has 2 helicopters doing work in eastern Kentucky.
The Governor went on to thank all first responders, state highway workers, utility workers and others who are “heroes” everyday but especially during times like this.
He thanked utility workers for a great job for their efforts in restoring electricity statewide.
He said many water systems are coming back online. 26 systems were at limited capacity and 1 was shut down. That was in Elkorn City.
Kentucky State Police telecommunicators have fielded almost 10,000 911 calls since Saturday.
All of the Kentucky State Police Posts are open to take calls about missing persons or individuals that need targeted wellness checks.
Kentucky State Parks are housing 191 displaced residents as of now including Jenny Wiley, Pine Mountain, Natural Bridge and in a limited capacity, Buckhorn. They are considering opening Carter Caves State Park for more if needed.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported that 296 state or federal roads are either fully or partially closed.
Lots of challenges are ongoing due to continued river flooding, backwater flooding, saturated ground/freezing temps causing mudslides and receding water causing embankment failures.
There are 15 emergency shelters also set up statewide, but the Governor encourages each community to open warming shelters for the upcoming snow and winter blast. He says if you can’t safely heat your home to make a move today to family, friends or shelter locations.
Only call 911 if it’s a true emergency or life threating situation.
Don’t call for 911 for any immediate general needs’ situations. For those type situations call 502-607-6665.
The Governor said he applied to Secretary Nome and President Trump through FEMA for individual assistance.
If that’s approved, individuals would receive serious needs assistance of $770.00 and a cleaning and sanitizing assistance funding of $350.00.
The FEMA applications approved would get a max grant award of $43,600.