Pulaski County disaster recovery center to close; phone referral to Kentucky Emergency Management given

Pulaski County’s emergency management official told the Fiscal Court that the local disaster recovery center (DRC) established after the tornado will close its physical office and that in-person services will be available at a nearby center in Laurel County.

The official said the DRC’s last day of business in Pulaski County will be Saturday; residents still working on claims should call 502-607-6665 to reach Kentucky Emergency Management for appointments and assistance. He also said FEMA personnel have largely completed their on-site work and that Small Business Administration (SBA) staff will end their local presence two days before the DRC closure.

The county’s emergency management speaker noted a personnel change at FEMA: Bruce Crouch, who had been the familiar area manager during tornado response operations, has been promoted to a regional manager role. Justin Graves is the new Area 10 manager and has met with county staff, the speaker said.

Why it matters: The DRC and SBA staff provided in-person assistance after the tornado. Their departure shifts more assistance to phone-based service coordinated by Kentucky Emergency Management and to in-person visits at the Laurel County center.

The remarks were made during the emergency-management report portion of the Fiscal Court meeting; no formal vote was required or taken on the DRC closing or FEMA personnel changes.