President Donald J. Trump has granted an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky following a request from Gov. Andy Beshear due to widespread severe weather, including storms, flooding, and landslides that began on February 15.
While Daviess County has largely only been affected by floods, there is also a hazard on at least one driveable roadway. A large portion of the shoulder has washed away on a section of KY 951, north of Knottsville in eastern Daviess County.
Other parts of the state have been more severely impacted. As of Sunday afternoon, Gov. Beshear confirmed that at least eight Kentuckians have died due to storm-related incidents.
Ahead of the storm, the Governor declared a state of emergency. On Saturday, he requested and President Donald Trump granted an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky.
“Thank you, President Trump, for approving my request for an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky,” Gov. Beshear said in a statement Sunday morning. “Now federal funding is available to impacted areas, helping us better respond and support affected Kentuckians.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal assistance to supplement local and state response efforts. The declaration covers all 120 counties in Kentucky and allows FEMA to coordinate disaster relief operations, provide resources, and allocate 75% federal funding for emergency protective measures.
Jeremy Slinker has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer overseeing FEMA’s response efforts in the state.
Local, state, and federal emergency crews are actively responding to the crisis, with over 1,000 rescues conducted, Beshear said.
The Whitesville Fire Department said via Facebook on Sunday that they had responded to seven calls since 2:45 a.m., with most being water rescues. The Daviess County Fire Department was assisting with some of those calls. In the city, the Owensboro Fire Department said the responded to multiple calls of motorists stuck on Carter Road.
To see a list of the latest road closures in Daviess County, click here. To see some of the flooding in southeastern Daviess County, watch our video here. Take a look at the flooding on Carter Road here.
The Governor launched the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund to assist storm victims. To donate, click here.
If you have immediate needs that are not life-threatening, please complete the Rapid Needs Assessment Form or call 502-607-6665. These needs include: power is out or inconsistent; no heat or very little heat; individuals with medical needs or disabilities; no food or unable to cook; no or very little drinking water; unable to leave house due to weather and no transportation; phone issues; unable to leave vehicle; checking on a loved one; and more.
Beshear also signed an executive order allowing Kentucky pharmacists to dispense emergency 30-day refills for any non-controlled medication.
