The weather system that parked itself over Kentucky for five consecutive days in early April dumped anywhere from four to almost 16 inches of rain on the commonwealth, leading to record flooding, evacuations, and millions of dollars in property damage. Kentucky Edition talked with state and local officials about the disaster and recovery efforts.
At last count seven people died as a result of the floods, far lower than totals the state experienced during flash flooding in February of this year and in 2022.
“I think the early warning that we were able to provide... may have saved some lives, hopefully saved some property from being damaged, but there’s a tremendous impact all the way from Morgan County all the way to Fulton,” says Kentucky Division of Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson.
Amy Miller of the American Red Cross Kentucky Region says the advanced notice allowed them to pre-position supplies in locales around the commonwealth. Meanwhile the Kentucky National Guard staged four- to six-person response teams at the state’s 54 armories, according to Brig. Gen. Brian Wertzler, deputy adjutant general of the Guard.
Once flooding was underway, police closed some 550 state roads inundated by the rising waters. Gibson says so many roads had to be blocked off that officials ran out of barricades and had to order more from out of state.
Sgt. Matt Sudduth of the Kentucky State Police says KSP received nearly 19,000 calls for emergency assistance during the storms. In Franklin County alone, Judge-Executive Michael Mueller says more than 200 people had to be rescued by boat after the Kentucky River rose higher than initially projected.
“When you live on the Kentucky River, you know you’re going to get wet,” says Mueller.
Assessing the Damage Floodwaters Leave Behind
More than 500 homes in Franklin County sustained damage, according to Mueller. Some of that damage is minor, he says, while other houses are a complete loss. He says six homes have already been condemned.
In neighboring Mercer County, Jami Rosenberg says the flooding there stayed for days rather than receding quickly as it usually does. She says she expected knee-deep water in her home. Instead, it rose to waist deep.
“It’s devastating,” says Rosenberg. “My house will be paid off in October, so it’s hard to just walk away.”
The Kentucky region of the American Red Cross has deployed some 400 volunteers to help with recovery efforts. Communications Manager Amy Miller says those people staff more than a dozen emergency shelters, serve meals, distribute supplies, and perform damage assessments.
“These are people that put their personal lives on hold,” says Miller. “When a disaster happens... they show up, they fan out into the community to help wherever the need is, and they stay usually for two weeks at a time, sometimes longer.”
Mike Sewell of Louisville is a long-time Red Cross volunteer, working in the aftermath of floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. He sees his efforts as a way to give back to the state that he says has given him so much.
“I want to make sure that these people have a little bit of a light at the end of the tunnel,” says Sewell. “If I can do that in any way, shape, or form, then I’ve done my job.”
Realities of Insurance Coverage and FEMA Aid
The long road to recovery will not be easy, though. Officials recommend making sure electrical service has been shut off or inspected before entering a flood-damaged building, and wearing waterproof boots, gloves, and face masks before coming in contact with water that is likely contaminated with chemicals or sewage. They also suggest getting a tetanus shot in case you get cut or scratched by debris.
For some, cleaning out mud and drying out prized possessions may be the easy parts of the process. Most traditional homeowner insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. For people living in a floodplain, specific flood insurance may be unavailable or too expensive to purchase.
“As an insurance agent, I’ve had to deliver the bad news that these policies don’t cover their contents, or that they don’t have coverage,” says Erika Hancock, who is also a Democratic state representative from Frankfort. “It’s kind of like delivering the worst news that they’ve ever heard.”
Roy Hammack’s house in Burgin suffered significant damage, and he fears his monthly Social Security check won’t be enough to help him recover.
“We don’t know what we’re going to do,” he says. “We don’t know if we’re going to get any help, we don’t know nothing.”
For those who can file claims, Hancock says to photograph all damage before starting clean-up and repairs. She also says to inventory items room by room and note serial numbers on appliances.
“It’s probably the most tedious part of the insurance process but it’s the most necessary, too, when it comes to determining the scope of the damage and items that can be saved or not saved,” says Hancock.
More than 70 Kentucky counties declared states of emergency during the floods, which will make federal disaster relief available once President Donald Trump authorizes individual and public assistance for the commonwealth. Gibson says people can receive small amounts for immediate needs like cleaning and sanitizing supplies, and to replace food and clothing. He says some victims are disappointed to learn that the maximum amount of support FEMA will provide is just over $43,000.
“People think they’re going to be made whole through FEMA and that’s just not the truth,” says Gibson.
As with private insurance claims, Gibson says FEMA also requires extensive photographic and written documentation of losses. He warns people that initial claims may be rejected by FEMA but he says that usually means the application was simply incomplete. He says once the presidential declaration is issued, disaster recovery centers will open in each affected county to provide people with assistance in completing their FEMA paperwork.
Additional recovery moneys may be available from the state, either through Team Kentucky funds as well as legislative appropriations. State Rep. Josh Bray (R-Mt. Vernon) says the General Assembly appropriated special emergency funding after the 2022 tornadoes and floods, and after the flooding in February of this year. He says lawmakers stand ready to help again.
“Once the rivers start receding across the state, I fully expect that the legislature (is) probably going to have another role to play in the recovery this time,” says Bray. “As these communities start rebuilding, it’s going to take a lot of effort from a lot of different people.”
