Gov. Matt Bevin has declared a statewide emergency in response to continued heavy rainfall which has caused widespread flooding and critical infrastructure damage across the Commonwealth.
The Governor’s executive order enables the mobilization of state resources to be to be utilized in support of cities and counties as needed.
Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) activated the State Emergency Operations Center on Friday, Feb. 22, at a Level 4. To date, KYEM has received 36 county and 11 city, state of emergency declarations.
When Daviess County Emergency Management Director Andy Ball was asked if this state of emergency would affect Daviess County, Ball said there was no cause for concern locally.
“State of Emergency is for the counties which had significant damage impacts to public infrastructure (not private) to recoup reimbursements through FEMA,” Ball said. “As far as public infrastructure, no, we are not close. Rains are making everything go up, then down, then up. So far we’re in pretty good shape. That’s not to say there isn’t some private property damage, but I haven’t gotten many reports of even that.”
Kentucky has experienced prolonged episodes of severe storms producing heavy rain, strong and gusting wind, flooding, flash flooding, landslides and mudslides across the Commonwealth.
This has resulted in increased water levels at major dams in central and western Kentucky, requiring record levels of water discharge, creating flooding conditions with enhanced threats to citizens and major impacts on infrastructure, governmental properties, commercial properties, agricultural production and private properties.
“Enhanced communication remains the highest priority in the current flood fight,” said Michael Dossett, director for KYEM. “The Division is in coordination with local, state and federal officials daily. Communities are reminded to check that flood plan and be ready to activate the plan if required.”
