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.