Governor Matt Bevin has declared a statewide emergency in response to widespread flooding due to frequent heavy rainfall and resulting 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 activated the State Emergency Operations Center on Friday. The division has received 36 county and 11 city state of emergency declarations. They are reportedly in contact with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assisting in mitigation efforts in response to record level water releases at Wolf Creek Dam and flood fighting efforts at Smithland.
Kentucky has experienced prolonged episodes of severe storms producing heavy rain, strong and gusting wind, flooding, flash flooding, landslides and mudslides across the Commonwealth. That resulted in increased water levels at major dams in central and western Kentucky, requiring record levels of water discharge, created flooding conditions with enhanced threats to citizens and major impacts on infrastructure and properties.
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett says, “Enhanced communication remains the highest priority in the current flood fight. 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.”
To report weather-related damage, please contact your local emergency management office.
Grateful to the men and women of @KYTC who are working overtime across the commonwealth to repair roads and restore the movement of vehicles in and between our communities affected by flooding…We are working with @fema to see what federal help might also be available…#WeAreKY
— Governor Matt Bevin (2015-2019) (@GovMattBevin) February 25, 2019
