Center open Friday, Aug. 6, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 6, 2021) – Yesterday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the opening of a multiagency recovery center to assist residents of Nicholas County impacted by the July 30 severe flooding. Today, he reminded residents to visit the center and detailed which agencies would be there to provide assistance.
“This historic storm was a shock and a setback to many Kentuckians in Nicholas County, but I’ve been so inspired by the way they’ve come together – neighbor helping neighbor – to get back on their feet,” said Gov. Beshear. “Thank you again to each partner agency assisting families at the recovery center, and to FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] and the SBA [U.S. Small Business Administration] for their quick start on joint assessments of the damage. If you need help, please take advantage of the resources available at this one-stop-shop recovery center.”
“We’re appreciative of the support from Nicholas County and Carlisle officials and our state cabinet partners in hosting the first day of the well-attended multiagency recovery center,” said Michael Dossett, director of Kentucky Emergency Management. He added, “This one-stop service center affords homeowners and business representatives the opportunity to engage with our state resources for information and assistance in the beginning stages of the recovery effort from this severe flooding event. Looking forward, as the FEMA and SBA joint assessments are completed this week, we are hopeful of a timely determination for eligibility in federal assistance.”
Governor’s Office of Constituent Services
The Governor’s Office of Constituent Services is helping direct participants to the local/state resources on hand at the resource center. Staff members are also referring participants to additional resources that are not represented on site and will be making follow-up contacts after the event to ensure participants have the information and resources they need.
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Office of Entrepreneurship/KY Innovation
KY Innovation Hub partners from the SOAR region are staffing a booth Friday and the Morehead Small Business Development Center will staff the booth Saturday. Each of the helpers lives and works in Eastern Kentucky and has experience with prior floods and other natural disasters in the region. Community and economic development is their mission.
The assistance they provide starts with greeting and listening and includes individualized connections with needed information and resources. Some community members need social services – such as food and shelter assistance – and some need further information on the FEMA process. Contact information for those visiting the resource center is being collected. Also, the recovery center provides an opportunity for those involved in economic development to listen to the needs of community members – beyond just immediate disaster relief – and plan for innovation, entrepreneurial expansion and economic development efforts for the community and region.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Office of Vital Statistics
The Office of Vital Statistics answered the call to assist and provide information on replacing lost records, including birth certificates, to citizens who lost records in the recent Nicholas County flooding.
Kentuckians are also able to receive assistance from behavioral health and food stamp programs managed by CHFS.
Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Waste Management
Division of Waste Management personnel are on site today working with Nicholas County and City of Carlisle officials to assess debris management and disposal issues associated with the recent flooding. The division is assisting local officials to identify staging areas for collection of household debris and other items that can be accepted by landfills, and to locate other dump sites for woody debris for future processing. Tires are being segregated and placed in another staging area for removal by a tire recycler.
An emergency cleanup grant will be issued to Nicholas County for the disposal of the collected flood debris. The total amount of grant funding has not been determined at this time. Local residents should direct questions regarding debris collection and disposal procedures to Nicholas County officials.
Kentuckians are also able to receive assistance at the recovery center from this Cabinet’s Division of Water.
Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, Department of Revenue
Representatives from the Kentucky Department of Revenue are available onsite through Saturday to answer any tax filing and tax information replacement questions for individuals affected by the flooding. Taxpayers requiring additional information or assistance on individual income taxes may contact the Department of Revenue at (502) 564-4581. For questions related to Corporation Income Tax and Pass-through Entities, contact (502) 564-8139.
Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC), Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund
KHC staff are at the center to provide Nicholas County renters information about the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund and to offer information about local community resources that could help displaced residents.
Many who were impacted by the flood are considering relocating or purchasing homes elsewhere in the county. KHC is connecting them to local lenders and is providing information about mortgage and down payment assistance programs as well as available rental units in the area to provide long-term solutions.
Kentucky Labor Cabinet, Office of Unemployment Insurance
Staff are offering general information on filling out unemployment insurance applications.
Video tutorials and helpful information can be found at https://kcc.ky.gov.
Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet, Department of Insurance (DOI)
DOI is providing assistance and information to Nicholas County flood victims related to insurance claims and other losses. Depending on an individual’s insurance policy, flood damage to homes, cars and other losses may or may not be covered. DOI authorities on the ground are working to help answer questions and connect people with the best pathways to recovery.
Services are also available from the Nicholas County Cooperative Extension.
Gov. Behear declared a state of emergency for Nicholas County and toured the flood-damaged area on Aug. 3.
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