08/05/2022
*** *** AUGUST 05, 2022 LETCHER COUNTY FLOOD UPDATE *** ***
I know everyone is desperate for information about our disaster so I'll provide what I can as of today.
The Army Corps of Engineers will be starting their damage assessment tomorrow morning. They will be in our communities trying to quantify the extent of the damage we have all sustained. That's the first step to getting all of the debris removed. Letcher County through the transportation cabinet has secured a vendor for the removal and monitoring of all debris. That vendor is going to start removing the debris clogging our bridges and waterways to reduce the chance of further flooding immediately, hopefully, beginning this weekend.
IMPORTANT: For all the debris that we have dragged out of our homes and businesses the contract specifies that they will separate and remove all debris located on the public road right of ways. They can't go onto private property to remove debris, so please get all debris to the edge of the right of way, but don't block any roads or streets.
I am so proud of our county and state road department workers. They have gone above and beyond to help get us through this crisis. We are aware of the hundreds of private bridges, culverts and drives that have been washed away and are impassable. The State won't allow the county government to use public dollars on private property, but we have been working tirelessly to find relief for anyone affected. I hope to have good news on this front very soon.
As to FEMA, they are here and have a mobile application site set up in the parking lot of the recreation center. FEMA has explained to me that just because you get a denial letter from your application that doesn't mean that you don't qualify. It just means that they need more information. Take your denial letter to the mobile application site and they can explain what additional information they need for your application.
We are working to create a one stop shop at the Rec Center so that all of the relief aid agencies and volunteer organizations will be available at one spot for anyone in need. The county has enlisted the aid of ER Assist, a disaster recovery consulting firm with expertise in disaster funding solutions.
The amazing work at LCCHS is an inspiration and shows the heart of our people. We have secured a warehouse facility that can handle all the incoming water and supplies that have been so graciously donated to our cause and we will transition to having multiple aid stations throughout the county serviced by this central facility.
Thousands of us are still out of water and the devastation to our water district infrastructure has been catastrophic. It's going to take a lot of money to rehabilitate this infrastructure, so we are setting up a collaboration with our disaster recovery funding sources to alleviate this problem. If a timeline can be provided to me or our other county officials on the progress, I will pass that information on to the public immediately.
Hang in there, we'll get through this together. The response of the people of Letcher County following this unprecedented disaster has reinforced my belief that the finest people in all the world live right here.
