UPDATE: Water Service Back for Most Residents
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Updated: 10:18 PM Jul 27, 2010
UPDATE: Water Service Back for Most Residents
Approximately 25,000 customers still remain on a boil water advisory and only 75 customers remain without water service at this time.
Posted: 12:53 PM Jul 26, 2010
Reporter: WSAZ News Staff; Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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UPDATE 7/27/10 @ 10:15 p.m.
PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Water service has been restored to most Pike County residents.

Pike County officials tell WSAZ.com that approximately 25,000 customers still remain on a boil water advisory and only 75 customers remain without water service at this time.

 

 

 

Shelters:

Pike Central High School
Pikeville Methodist Church
Pikeville Homeless Shelter
Cedar Bottom Church
in Kimper
Pike Health Department (Special Needs)

Locations that are accepting and have clothes available for flood victims:
 
First Presbyterian Church
508 Cedar Creek Road
Pikeville KY  41501
(606) 437-0229  
 
Thankful Hearts
1645 Adams Branch Road
Pikeville KY 41501
(606) 437-6221
 
United Helping Hands of Pikeville
925 North By-Pass Road
Pikeville KY  41502
(606) 432-1349
 
Church of Christ Zebulon
4627 Zebulon Highway
Pikeville KY 41501
(606) 432-3214
 
Elkhorn Senior Citizens Center
1035 West Russell Street
Elkhorn City KY  41522
(606) 754-8936
 
Pikeville Senior Citizens Center
134 Bank Street
Pikeville KY  41501
(606) 432-4250

Phelps Fire and Rescue Station
Highway 632, Phelps, KY
Accepting donations from 10am to 6pm Wednesday through Friday

 
Community Closet  
(
Have clothes available, but because of limited CANNOT accept donated clothes.  The individual will need to bring proof they have been flooded.)
16999 State Route 80 E
Elkhorn city KY  41522 
 
Families In Need of Diapers or Who Wish To Donate Diapers for Flood Victims Contact:
 
Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center
193 Main Street
Pikeville KY 41501
(606) 433-0700
 
Locations that will accept and have non-perishable food items for flood victims:
 
Hope of Pikeville
850 Collins Highway
Pikeville KY 41502
(606) 432-4673 or (606) 835-4539
 
Thankful Hearts
1645 Adams Branch Road
Raccoon KY 41557
(606) 437-6221
 
First Presbyterian Church
508 Cedar Creek Road
Pikeville KY  41501
(606) 437-0229

Water has been restored from Harless Creek to the mouth of Frankie Fork areas.

Also, the Tide "Loads of Hope" truck will begin washing loads of laundry for individuals who were affected by the flooding beginning at noon Tuesday.

That service will remain in town until Monday, Aug. 2. The Loads of Hope truck is located in the Food City parking lot on South Mayo Trail. It is open until 6 p.m. each day.



UPDATE 7/23/10 @ 11 p.m.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Pike County has been declared a major disaster area because of the deadly flooding that began a week ago, making federal funds available to those affected.

Gov. Steve Beshear said in a news release late Friday that he appreciated the swiftness of the response from the White House. Beshear had sent the request Wednesday.

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency said residents and business owners who sustained losses in Pike County can begin applying for assistance Saturday by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT.

FEMA officials said additional counties may be designated for assistance once surveys are completed.



UPDATE 7/23/10 @ 7:30 p.m.
PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Some Pike County residents feel they're being victimized all over again after devastating flooding. This time it's not high water -- it's looters.

"Some people have no compassion at all," says Julie Smith, who lives along Raccoon Creek. "They want to take what little you got left, which ain't much."

Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford signed an order on Wednesday, July 21, imposing a curfew in designated areas of the county to maintain peace, order and prevent looting in disaster-stricken areas.

Pike County Sheriff Charles Keesee says, "That gives us an opportunity to stop these people, check them out, and see what they're doing there ... They could be charged with criminal trespass."

The curfew impacts Raccoon Creek (State Road 1441) and all county roads in the watershed of Raccoon Creek as follows:

  • Harless Creek (County Road 5072)
  • Winns Branch (County Road 1520)
  • Biggs Branch (County Road 5013)
  • Jimmies Creek (County Road 5039)

The curfew is of little comfort for John Buchannon.

"Everything that people have that they can't chain down they're taking," Buchannon says.



UPDATE 7/23/10 @ 8 a.m.
PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- The Tide "Loads of Hope" truck is on its way to Pike County, but is running a little behind the original schedule.

Pike County officials tell WSAZ.com the Tide "Loads of Hope" truck will not arrive in Pike County until Sunday and may not begin operation until Tuesday.

The mobile laundromat is capable of cleaning 300 loads of laundry every day and will be available to the flood victims for free.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.



UPDATE 7/23/10 @ 8 a.m.
PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- In times of disaster people turn to the most basic of human needs,and one of those is clean clothes.

The Tide "Loads of Hope" program provides relief by means of a mobile laundromat.

Friday , one truck and a fleet of vans housing more than 32 washers and dryers will be set up at the mouth of Raccoon Creek in Pike County, according to county officials.

Workers will wash, dry and fold the clothes for these families for free.

The mobile laundromat is capable of cleaning over 300 loads of laundry every day.



UPDATE 7/22/10 @ 4:10 p.m.
PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Officials in Pike County say damage estimates from recent flooding could exceed $10 million.

Judge Executive Wayne Rutherford said in a statement Thursday that the damage totals would make Pike County eligible for federal disaster assistance.

Officials there worried about looting imposed a curfew in the parts of central Pike County that were hit by harsh storms on Saturday. The 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew was started after Pike Sheriff Charles Keesee reported several instances of theft and looting in the Raccoon Creek area.

Gov. Steve Beshear planned to tour flood-damage areas in Carter County Thursday after storms struck the day before. State police say a 72-year-old woman, Mary Littleton, is still missing after her mobile home was swept away by flooding in the Fultz community.



UPDATE 7/22/10 @ 1:35 p.m.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WSAZ) -- UK basketball coach, John Calipari is trying to get the effort started to help families in Pike County, Kentucky who lost so much during the weekend's flooding.

On Thursday afternoon, Calipari wrote on his Twitter account, "I'm looking into ways to help Pike County's flood victims & we'll have more info later today."

A few minutes later, he tweeted, "With the recent/recurring floods in Eastern Ky, Ellen reminded me last nite that these are the times when the Big Blue Nation defines itself."

Calipari, who goes by UKCoachCalipari on Twitter, also posted the link to the Red Cross, so his followers could help out.

And around 12:40 today, Calipari announced, "Ellen & I are pledging $5,000 from the Calipari Family Foundation 4 Children as a start 2 our flood relief funds & supplies-raising efforts."



UPDATE 7/20/10 @ 7:30 p.m.
PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) – Cold, clean water remains a hot commodity for flood-ravaged Pike County residents.

Battling numerous major line breaks, the water company has restored service to about 800 households in the past 24 hours. But nearly 25,000 residents are still on indefinite boil water advisory.

Meanwhile, distributing clean water is the top priority.

Rain is not the kind of water they need in Pike County. But with spirits not dampened -- at flood relief centers pike county wide -- palate after palate of bottled water come in and go right back out . It’s all quenching the hundreds of flood victims still fighting the mud and the mess – not to mention the melting heat.

The John’s Creek station is one of a dozen Pike County volunteer fire department water distribution stations. It’s where water to drink and bleach to clean with have folks like Harold Gannon delivering these liquid essentials to families still trapped.

But flood victims do not live on water alone.

At the Community Funeral Home at the mouth of hard hit Raccoon Creek, the Southeast Telephone company’s volunteers have set up a drive-in water and hot dog stand.



UPDATE 7/20/10 @ 4:30 p.m.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Through a coordinated joint effort, Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams consisting of personnel from local, state and federal government have begun gathering damage estimates from local government and private citizens in Pike County.

“The aftermath of the flooding in Pike County is really unlike anything I’ve seen before,” said Gov. Beshear, who visited the area yesterday to meet with local officials. “Swiftly moving water is extremely dangerous and its ability to cause destruction should never be underestimated.”

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel arrived in Pike County yesterday. After being briefed by local and Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) officials, teams were assembled and county assessments were assigned. These teams will begin PDAs throughout the county today. These damage assessments will be used to support Gov. Beshear’s request for federal assistance.

“We are hoping to expedite the assistance process by having the FEMA teams conduct these damage assessments with our local teams,” said John Heltzel, director for KYEM. “We want to bring whatever assistance is needed, and eligible, to all of Pike County and its residents as soon as possible.”

Officials encourage those who have suffered property damage to photograph the damage, save any repair receipts and report your damage to the local emergency management director.

The Kentucky National Guard currently has 24 Soldiers on duty providing support to Pike County. For the past several days, members of the 577th Sapper Company, 201st Engineer Battalion have conducted security patrols in humvees in support of local law enforcement, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews have assisted in damage assessment. Additional troops from the 201st are being brought on to provide communications and logistical support in the distribution of bottled water.

If you do not have the family and/or financial resources to clean out your property, you can call 606-432-0210 to request volunteer assistance.

“Folks need to be aware volunteer groups are available to help clean up they cannot dismantle or remove destroyed homes,” said Jim Garrett, Voluntary Agency Liaison for Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

Important Safety Messages:

  • Do not drive through or wade through any water, no matter if it’s just a few inches. STOP – TURN AROUND – DON’T DROWN!

  • The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) reports that boil water advisories are in effect for much of the county due to broken lines and other factors. Water distribution points have been established to assist those without water. Check with your local government for current water distribution locations.

  • DOW also warns against contact with flood waters due to contamination from sewage, agricultural products and other harmful substances.

  • The Kentucky Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages flooded residents to be aware of toxic or hazardous wastes associated with flood waters. For additional information on health safety tips and flood water clean-up, please visit the DPH’s website at www.chfs.ky.gov/dph/ or contact the local health department.

  • Do not attempt to enter flooded structures unless a certified electrician has shut the power off.

  • Avoid unnecessary sight seeing, keeping the roadways clear and allowing emergency officials access to the impacted areas.



    UPDATE 7/20/10 @ 12:30 p.m.
    PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- A few thousand homes remain without running water in the wake of harsh flooding in Pike County that turned over cars and destroyed homes.

    Damage assessment teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies were scheduled to arrive in the county on Tuesday.

    The Mountain Water District says on its website about 3,000 customers had water outages Tuesday, while 25,000 customers are under a boil water advisory.

    The storms in central Pike County Saturday night knocked out power to more than 6,000 homes, but only about 180 were without electricity on Monday night.

    Gov. Steve Beshear visited the devastated areas on Monday and has declared a state of emergency for the county. Two deaths have been attributed to the flooding.



    UPDATE 7/20/10 @ 11:30 a.m.
    PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- In the wake of the widespread flooding across Pike County, Kentucky, the Pike County Health Department is reminding residents of the importance of tetanus shots.

    County Health Director Paul Hopkins says as part of the cleanup effort, many people are coming in contact with sharp and jagged metal, but tetanus shots are often an afterthought.

    The health department is set up at five different locations around the county, centered in the areas that were hit hardest by last weekend's flood waters. Hopkins says the department is stationed close to where officials are handing out water and bleach, so shots and health information can be given out when people come to pick up the essentials.

    Hopkins says he hopes to take tetanus shots door-to-door in the near future. However, where roadways haven't been washed away, there are still large amounts of trash and debris that make it difficult to get into the flood-stricken communities.



    UPDATE 7/19/10 @ 11 p.m.
    PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Flood-ravaged residents shared their harrowing and heartbreaking stories with a WSAZ.com news crew that visited Pike County on Monday.

    Nearly 25,000 residents remain without water or must boil their water before using it for cooking or drinking. Officials tell WSAZ.com that the water won’t be up to par for one week due to major infrastructure problems with the plant and water systems.

    There are also 1,000 residents without power; it is scheduled to be fixed within the next two days

    Rescue crews were very busy having to rescue 70 people during the massive flood. Nearly 50 people had to be sheltered, luckily most were able to stay with family and friends.

    County officials tell WSAZ.com that this is worst and swiftest flood disaster that the county has ever seen.

    Our WSAZ.com news crew that visited the area saw the devastation firsthand on Monday. Their interviews with officials and residents are included below.

    Meanwhile, FEMA and county officials will head out to assess the damage on Tuesday.

    Dana Walters is the second person that died during the flood. Officials tell WSAZ.com that she died in Chloe Creek, and she was in her 60s. Officials say she drove into high water and got out of the car and was swept away.

    WSAZ.com's Carrie Cline was among our news team that visited Pike County on Monday.

    Cline reported that it is ironic that the problem of not having enough water was keeping many flood victims from digging out.

    From siding to large pieces of plywood to a boat that floated more than a mile away, she said you'd never guess a water treatment plant ever existed in the area. A wall of water crashed through it, shutting down the plant and leaving many without water.

    "Once water backed up into the system, we had to shut everything down," water plant official Heath Hall said. "That's a very serious situation. Now, we've cleaned and pumped everything out, but it could still be a while before everyone is safely restored -- as long as two to three weeks."

    Local volunteers from the Holy Rollers Motorcycle Ministry stopped by to hand out water -- providing a basic necessity to folks. While that will help folks with drinking and bathing, it still won't solve their biggest problem of all -- cleaning up.

    County officials with the water plant say the damage assessment process will take time. There are many broken water lines in remote areas where roads have been washed out and crews can't reach. They're hoping to have a temporary fix in place and have everyone up and running in the next few days to few weeks.

    WSAZ.com's Randy Yohe says the clean-up effort is like few others our region has ever seen.

    Yohe spoke with John Pfannenstein, a former Green Beret, who says he hasn't had a scare like this since Vietnam. Pfannenstein awoke to high water Saturday night in his now devastated Raccoon Creek home

    "I thought I peed my pants, then I realized my home was full of a rushing wall of water," Pfannenstein says. "I rode down a stream in a cooler."

    This is not the kind of flood aftermath where you just squeegee out the mud -- not with cars, trucks, trailers and trash snarled about any immovable object.

    Bridges washed out by the dozens, and dozens of homes like John Buchanan's were destroyed.

    "We were underwater," Buchanan said. "Our cars washed away, our home engulfed by flood waters; we watched vehicles go down the creek."

    Many are in stagnant water and mud, worried about tetanus. Local health department officials say if you haven't had a tetanus shot in five years, call them.

    After a flood area tour, an overwhelmed Gov. Steve Beshear guaranteed a full effort for quick federal help.

    "The state is here," Beshear said. "We've got FEMA coming. We won't stop until everyone is on their feet again."

    With no insurance and no livable home left, Jerry Abshire is one of many who need help.

    "My home is gone," Abshire said. "I lost everything, but at least no one was hurt."

    Abshire says he'll pray for the two who did die. He says it's ironic that he does not live in a flood plain.

    Beshear says FEMA teams will join Pike County assessment teams Tuesday morning as they begin to assess the damage.



    UPDATE 7/18/10 @ 6:45 p.m.
    PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Thousands of Pike County residents are without power and water after Saturday night's flood. Gov. Steve Beshear has declared Pike County a state of emergency.

    Pike County Judge Executive Wayne Rutherford says nearly 10,000 people are without water and about 3,500 are powerless.

    Raccoon and Harless Creeks were hit the hardest, with Raccoon Creek getting nearly destroyed.

    Bottled water is scarce and in high demand. Pike County EMS has set up distribution centers at fire departments in Feds Creek, Ferrells Creek, Millard, Lookout, Marrowbone, Johns Creek, Elkhorn and Kimper.

    Many county roads and bridges have also suffered damage, making them impassible according to the County's Road Commissioner.

    All missing people have been accounted for and two fatalities have been reported, according to Judge Executive Rutherford, although the Sheriff's Department tells WSAZ.com three fatalities have been reported.



    UPDATE 7/18/10 @ 4:20 p.m.
    PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Pike County is still in the rescue and recovery phase after Saturday night's flood, according to the County's Emergency Management.

    Jarrod Hunt with Pike County EMS tells WSAZ.com damage assessment teams will head out first thing Monday morning.

    Damages must be reported in order to receive FEMA assistance; Hunt asks that residents with damage call 606-432-0210 and report it.

    Hunt says water is being distributed to local fire departments for people who need it. At Pike Central High School, clothing and food are available, as well.

    The Shelby Church of Christ in Shelbiana is also open -- accepting and handing out donations of food, cleaning supplies and water.

    Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.



    UPDATE 7/18/10 @ 1:50 p.m.
    PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Pike County officials placed the county under an emergency early Sunday.

    Emergency officials say numerous homes were damaged, some were washed away, and roads and bridges were damaged during the flash flooding Saturday.

    The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that homes throughout the central part of the county are without water service and residents would be on a boil-water advisory until it is restored.

    Kentucky Power reported that 6,262 customers had power outages during the heavy winds and thunderstorms.



    UPDATE 7/18/10 @ 12 p.m.
    PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- The Pike County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that a third person has died as a result of the flash flooding that happened in the county Saturday night.

    Details surrounding the death have not been released.

    We have a crew on the scene and will continue to update this story as it develops.



    UPDATE 7/18/10 @ 10:55 a.m.
    PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- State Police in Kentucky say that at least two people have died after Saturday's storms in Pike County.

    They say Craig Morris from Carrie, Kentucky died in the Zebulon area.

    KSP say Morris stopped on the U.S. 119 bridge to check on a family member's home and fell over the bridge. He died at the scene.

    State Police also say another person died in the Chloe Creek area.

    They say the victim was in a car that was swept away by the flood waters. The victim's name has not been released at this time.

    The Weather Channel reports there has been a third death in Kentucky, and that four people are still missing after Saturday's flash flooding.

    A State of Emergency continues.

    Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.



    ORIGINAL STORY 7/17/10 @ 10:30 p.m.
    PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- High water has taken over most of Pike County Saturday evening, specifically the towns of Bigs, Blackburn Bottom, Millard, Pikeville and Kimper.

    We are getting reports that people have been evacuated from their homes, and in many cases, EMS says they are having a tough time getting to the people who need help because the roads are covered with water.

    911 dispatchers say in many areas, trailers are being washed away and people are stranded on the tops of their cars.

    Swift water rescue teams from Pike and Floyd Counties have been called in to help.

    Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.


    Latest Comments

    Posted by: angel on Jul 24, 2010 at 11:53 AM

    My heart goes out to you all flooding has been a major problem this year, we have made it through 2 so far. It seems every time you turn on the news it is happening again. My thoughts and prayers are with you, until you've seen mother nature at her worst you have no idea how bad it can be.
    Posted by: me on Jul 24, 2010 at 09:46 AM

    8 inches of rain caused that??, if so you should be grateful to Jesus it wasn't like the great flood of Biblical Times.
    Posted by: Elizabeth on Jul 23, 2010 at 07:40 PM

    Im so sorry for everyones loss down there,hope everything works out for ya and good luck and to you looters SHAME ON YOU....
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