Kentucky Declared State of Emergency Due to Flooding
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Updated: 12:17 AM May 11, 2009
Kentucky Declared State of Emergency Due to Flooding
Pike County Residents still without water after severe flooding over the weekend.
Posted: 7:49 PM May 9, 2009
Reporter: WSAZ News Staff, Amanda Goodman
Email Address: news@wsaz.com, amanda.goodman@wsaz.com
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UPDATE, 5/10 12:10 a.m.
PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- After days of pouring rain and flooding, finally on Sunday the water started receding in Belfry, and Williamson, two of the hardest hit areas in Pike County from this weekends storms.

Most of the residents in Belfry and the surrounding hollows are still without water as of late Sunday night.

“We’ve been getting a lot of calls from people asking when the water is going to be back on, and at this time we just don’t know,” said Pike County Magistrate Chris Harris.

The county is going to continue to receive shipments of water which can be picked up at any fire house throughout the county.

Harris also says as of Sunday, countywide- they have given out 6,000 cases of water. Each case contains six gallons of water.

Members of the Kentucky National Guard traveled to Pike County today to deliver water and other supplies- they will also be helping with the clean up efforts.

The Red Cross is also in Pike County, they have set up a shelter at Belfry High School.

They have bottled drinking water, food, and beds for anyone who needs a place to stay. You can also shower at the shelter, they have shower kits available complete with shampoo, soap, and toothpaste.

The shelter will be open at the high school until further notice, and Red Cross Volunteer Teresa Hall is urging people who need water, or food to stop by.

Pike County Sheriff Charles Keesee says now that most of the rescue efforts are complete, they are focusing on enforcement.

“After devastation of this kind, people have to leave their homes for a period of time, so we are trying to make it safe so the people that had to leave their homes, when they return to what’s left at least it won’t be looted,” Sheriff Keesee said.

As of Sunday night flood watches and warnings had been lifted for Pike County.

Classes have been canceled Monday for all Pike County Schools.



ORIGINAL STORY
PIKE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Pike County Magistrate Chris Harris tells WSAZ.com that the county judge-executive has declared the area a state of emergency. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has issued a declaration for the state as well.

The county's emergency shelter inside the courthouse has flooded. The new shelter will be set up in Belfry High School with cots and supplies for families. Harris tells WSAZ's Paul Gessler that emergency crews are still trying to reach some people stranded in the hills and mountains of the county.

Harris says this is the worst flooding in the Belfry area since before the 1977 flood. Harris says several roads are closed in the area.

Harris just noted that area workers just repaired the flood wall two weeks ago.

Governor Beshear has activated the 201st Engineer Battalion of the National Guard to help out in five counties, including Pike, Floyd, Owsley, Breathitt and Knott. They will conduct door-to-door wellness checks and evacuation missions if needed.

The 201st Engineer Battalion just recently returned from Afghanistan.

In Martin County, Kentucky, the following roads are impassable according to emergency officials.

Route 292 South at Huntleyville
Route 292 South at Stepp Br.
Route 1714 Wolfcrek at Buck Br.
Route 292 North at Fluty Lick
Route 1714 Wolfcreek at Little Petercave Road
Route 292 North at Calf Creek
Collins Creek Road
Groundhog Hollow
Route 292 North at Whites Br.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Kitty McIlroy on Aug 6, 2009 at 12:03 PM

This has been called a once in 100 years storm, yet I don't know if there has ever been this much rain in this short of an amount of time ever before. While climate change is not is not solely responsible for any one storm what is obvious to me is we are experiencing what are supposed to be very rare events all the time now. Not addressing climate change effectively, by getting off coal and oil is getting more expensive every day. We must start to cut our CO2 emissions asap. To cut CO2 emissions we have an historic opportunity when President Obama goes to Copenhagen this December to reach a new international agreement to address climate change. We should encourage our President to do everything he can to finally start seriously addressing this growing problem. Scientists say we must cut our emissions 25 to 40% by 2020 from 1990 levels to avoid the worst possible effects of climate change.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: TC Gator on May 19, 2009 at 11:46 AM

May God bless everyone that has been affected by this tragedy. I was a youngster during Flood of 1977 and remember that time vividly. I was so impressed by the way the communities pulled together and helped one another through that difficult time. The folks in the Pond Creek and the Tug Valley Region are resilient and will make it through this. My prayers are with you all.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: connie crawford on May 14, 2009 at 12:09 PM

i live at octavie at mcandrews ky i dont under stand why people cant get help i lost my feence my underpending my air unit my septic system and more you call fema they say they cant help becauset not declare disater yet god help us
[ Report Abuse ]
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