Recovery efforts continue after severe weather in May

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - During a Team Kentucky update, Gov. Andy Beshear gave an update on recovery efforts after severe weather this month.

On May 16-17, six tornadoes touched down, with southcentral Kentucky being hit hard. On May 30, Beshear will be traveling to Laurel and Pulaski counties to assess progress with the intermediate housing program, where Team Kentucky houses displaced families in travel trailers, as well as visiting the London and Somerset Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).

“We’ll be there for the families and communities that are mourning and trying to recover – every step of the way, for as long as it takes,” Gov. Beshear said in a release.

DEATH TOLL

The death toll remains at 19. Fatalities include:

• 17 people in Laurel County
• One in Pulaski County
• One in Russell County.

There are six injured people at the University of Kentucky Hospital:

• Two are in critical condition
• Four are in good condition

For those who like to help those impacted by the tornadoes, donate to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. The fund helps survivors and pays for the funeral expenses for those lost in the disaster. To donate, click here.

So far, the fund has raised over $1.5 million in donations from 6,692 donors.

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FUNDING

Recently, President Donald Trump approved the Governor’s request for Individual Assistance for individuals and households in Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg, and Union counties affected by the most recent storms. Click here for a fact sheet on how to apply.

Public Assistance is still under review for severe weather in May, as is Hazard Mitigation for the entire state. Since Kentucky received approval, FEMA has approved over $340,000 for 41 applications.

At least 162 survivors have registered for Disaster Survivor Assistance.

The Governor has been working with FEMA to open Disaster Recovery Centers. where those affected can go to apply for FEMA aid and receive other assistance. Click here to view the current hours and locations of the DRCs for the February and April floods, or click here for the DRCs related to the recent severe storms and tornadoes.

DEBRIS

According to Team Kentucky, there is an estimated 400,000 cubic yards of debris in need of removal in affected areas. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, city and county governments, and emergency management are working together to develop a plan to remove debris as quickly as possible.

For those who lost vital documents during the storms, the Governor signed an executive order that suspends certain requirements for ID cards, driver’s licenses, and vehicle registrations and titles.

During the May state of emergency, residents of any county included in a presidential major disaster declaration can get a duplicate of any of these documents at no cost.