KY Disaster Update from Dr. Rand Paul – August 16, 2022

Excessive rainfall caused deadly flash flooding across Eastern Kentucky recently leading to significant rescue efforts as a result of blocked roads and destroyed bridges from high water, mud slides, and downed trees. Dozens of Kentuckians are confirmed dead, with some still unaccounted for. Hundreds of homes and businesses are severely damaged or totally lost.

I appreciate the swift action by the Biden administration in declaring a federal emergency, and the unity from our congressional delegation in helping those affected. Kelley and I continue to send our thoughts and prayers to those in Eastern Kentucky.

As your Senator, I am committed to doing all that I can to assist local and state officials as they manage recovery and relief efforts. We’ve been on the ground helping the past few weeks and will continue to work alongside first responders and volunteers in the coming weeks and months.

My office is also helping those who are in need of help with the FEMA Disaster Relief process. If you are in need of assistance, you can reach my state office at (270) 782-8303, and one of my staff members will be happy to help.

While on the ground in Eastern Kentucky recently, I received a briefing from Kentucky Emergency Management, FEMA, first responders, and emergency operations leaders at the Hazard Area Operations Command Post. I am so grateful for their quick response and continued efforts to help all Kentuckians.

After that briefing, while visiting Gospel Light Baptist Church in Hazard and meeting with their volunteers, I announced that I was sending letters to both President Biden and Governor Beshear asking that unspent COVID funds be made available for rebuilding in areas where a disaster has been declared. You can read those letters HERE and HERE.

You can watch the remarks I gave to local media while making that announcement HERE.

While seeing the damage in each city was devastating, it is amazing to see people from all across the Commonwealth and our country pull together. With the help of our neighbors, Kentuckians are slowly beginning to feel a sense of hope. Not only are Kentuckians incredibly resilient during these tragic times, but they are also very generous. I visited Letcher County High School, which is serving as a distribution point for Whitesburg, and it was so heartening to see all the donations and supplies that have come in to help those in need!

The Mercy Chefs organization, who worked so hard to feed Kentuckians during the Western Kentucky tornadoes in December, was also on the ground in Eastern Kentucky and I was glad to spend some time with them hearing about their efforts these past few weeks in the mountains. From churches doing critical outreach, to Kentuckians donating supplies, to food being given out—what I’ve been seeing is just an incredible outpouring of humanity. And I’m glad to be part of this community.

Disasters like this one are a test of the underlying unity and humanity of all of us. We’re all in this together, and I’m going to do everything I can to help Eastern Kentucky recover. The unbridled spirit of Kentucky is shining bright and together we will pull through this.

Kentucky Flood Disaster Assistance

For the latest information about the federal government’s ongoing disaster recovery efforts in Kentucky, please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Kentucky disaster webpage: www.fema.gov/disaster/4663

For more information on flood disaster assistance please visit HERE.

For the latest information about the Commonwealth’s ongoing disaster recovery efforts in Kentucky, including information about volunteering and donating critical supplies, please visit Kentucky Emergency Management (KY-EM)’s webpage: kyem.ky.gov

For the latest from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear please visit: governor.ky.gov/news

Below, please find emergency information for the Red Cross, Kentucky Emergency Management, and locations of disaster recovery centers across the state.

Red Cross
800-RED-CROSS
www.redcross.org

Find your local chapter here: http://www.redcross.org/en/where

Kentucky Emergency Management
800-255-2587
http://kyem.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Mailing Address:
Kentucky Emergency Management
100 Minuteman Parkway
Frankfort, KY 40601

Disaster Recovery Centers Open to Assist Disaster Survivors

The following KYEM/FEMA disaster recovery centers will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, to help explain available assistance programs, how to apply to FEMA, and help connect survivors with resources for their recovery needs.

Breathitt Library
1024 College Ave
Jackson, Kentucky 41339

Dorton Community Center
112 Dorton Hill Rd
Bulan, Kentucky 41722

Hazard Community College
1 Community College Dr.
Hazard, Kentucky 41701

Knott County Sport Plex
450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765
Leburn, Kentucky 41831

Letcher County Recreation Center
1505 Jenkins Rd.
Whitesburg, Kentucky 41858

The following KYEM/FEMA disaster recovery centers will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Magoffin County Health Dept.
19 E. Mountain Parkway
Salyersville, Kentucky 41465

Owsley Rec Center
99 County Barn
Ricetown, Kentucky 41364

Locate a Shelter

People can find Red Cross shelters by contacting local emergency officials,
visiting www.redcross.org/get-help, or calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). iPhone users can download a free Red Cross shelter view app from the app store.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Resources

For the latest information about the federal government’s ongoing disaster recovery efforts in Kentucky, please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Kentucky disaster webpage: www.fema.gov/disaster/4630

Beware of Fraud and Scams

After a disaster, scam artists, identity thieves, and other criminals often attempt to take advantage of disaster survivors.

If you’re applying for disaster assistance following the tornadoes, beware of scammers:

• Ask to see ID badges. All FEMA staff carry an identification badge with a photograph.
• Never agree to pay a fee for filling out applications.

We encourage survivors to watch for and report any suspicious activity. Below are ways to report fraud:

Email: StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov
Call: 1-866-223-0814
Fax: 202-212-4926

For more information, visit FEMA’s Disaster Fraud page at http://www.fema.gov/about/offices/security/disaster-fraud

Stay in Touch with Dr. Paul

I will continue to provide the most up to date information and resources as they become available, you can stay up to date by visiting my Senate Website, www.paul.senate.gov, or my official Facebook and Twitter pages.

Warm Regards,

Rand Paul