Governor Andy Beshear was in Hopkinsville Monday morning to assess damage from the New Year’s Day tornado that affected dozens of homes, businesses and two churches and he says Kentucky will be seeking another federal disaster declaration for Christian and other counties impacted by severe weather over the weekend.
Christian County Emergency Management Director Randy Graham noted about 85 homes were affected by the EF2 tornado in some way Saturday morning and commended local first responders for a quick response.
He also praised Hopkinsville Electric System for getting the number of residents without power from 1,600 to only a few within 48 hours.
Governor Beshear says the federal disaster declaration from the December 10 and 11 tornadoes cannot be amended to include Saturday’s weather, so Kentucky will be applying to FEMA for a new declaration after damage assessments are complete.
Damage from tornadoes in multiple counties across Kentucky and flash flooding in several areas of the state will be included in the application and it’s unknown at this time if it will meet federal thresholds for a declaration.
Meanwhile, the governor says Kentucky will be seeking a 60-day extension from the federal government to continue funding for debris removal from the December 10 and 11 tornadoes, noting only 10 percent of the debris has been cleaned up so far in Graves County.
Governor Beshear says he’ll be encouraging the Kentucky General Assembly to assist counties and cities with costs from tornado cleanup.
Graham says the Red Cross is housing one family affected by the New Year’s Day tornado by keeping them at a hotel in Oak Grove for the time being. He says homeowners who sustained damage should take plenty of photos and contact their insurance company if they haven’t already done so.
It’s possible FEMA could assist renters with loss of personal property if the declaration is approved and the governor says his office will be looking at the possibility of using COVID relief funds to assist renters.
The governor joined Graham and Mayor Wendell Lynch in praising first responders and citizens who volunteered with the response Saturday and the mayor also urged motorists to not stop in the damage zones and cause additional safety issues.
Listen to the entire remarks below:
