Pike County declares disaster after major flooding; shelters, curfew, FEMA assessments and water restorations under way

Judge Jones opened the Pike County Fiscal Court meeting by describing an escalating flood emergency that has left roads and bridges washed out, thousands without water or power and at least three people dead.

Judge Jones said he had declared a local disaster and that Governor Beshear had declared a state disaster and visited the county, and that a presidential disaster declaration had been issued. "I declared a disaster. The governor declares a disaster. Those requests for assistance goes up to the White House. President Trump very quickly, issued the disaster declaration," Judge Jones said, describing the sequence that allows Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to arrive.

The declaration and intergovernmental coordination matters because FEMA can supply both public assistance—aid for repairs to county infrastructure—and individual assistance to residents and business owners. Judge Jones summarized the typical cost share: FEMA usually pays up to 75 percent for public infrastructure damage, the state picks up about 12 percent and about 13 percent is the county match; he said the county can use its own equipment and labor to cover that match. He also outlined immediate help for homeowners without flood insurance: there is a $750 initial assistance payment and, if residents qualify, FEMA grants of up to $42,500 or Small Business Administration loans can be available.

Nut graf: The fiscal court described a large-scale, multiagency recovery effort involving the county road department, state emergency management, the Army National Guard and FEMA assessment teams. County officials urged residents to avoid flooded or damaged areas, outlined temporary shelter locations and clean-up protocols, and warned that a forecasted snow and cold snap could complicate rescue and restoration efforts.

Most urgent public-safety and relief developments

- Access, search and rescue: Judge Jones said some areas remain inaccessible and search-and-rescue teams are being used to reach them; he reported "at least 10 county bridges" were completely washed out. He said the Army National Guard will provide an assessment team, heavy equipment, distribution support and temporary bridging equipment, and that FEMA assessment teams were on the ground to determine resources needed.

- Shelters and donations: The court opened shelters at Pike County Central High School, Belfry Middle School and Millard Elementary; other shelters may reopen if staging changes. Judge Jones directed donations of water and cleaning supplies to the Appalachian Wireless Arena to avoid duplication and coordinate distribution; he said the National Guard and volunteer groups will also distribute supplies.

- Curfew and site access: Judge Jones announced a temporary access restriction to flooded areas to prevent looting and interference with rescue and recovery operations. He said the order prohibits people who do not live in a flooded area and are not participating in recovery work from entering flooded zones or certain roads, and he warned that the court would enforce the restriction.

- Debris and disposal: The county has limited capacity to accept flood-damaged household debris at the county landfill and cannot receive mixed household garbage with flood material under anticipated state contracts. The judge asked residents with property outside the floodplain who can accept fill and debris to contact the judge's office to sign waivers for county trucks; he said dumpsters and other immediate disposal options are scarce.

- Power and heating safety: Officials reported about 1,100 Pike County customers remained without power at the time of the meeting. The judge warned about fire and carbon-monoxide risks from portable heaters, noting limited emergency-response access to some locations.

Mountain Water District status and plan (Tammy Olsen)

Tammy Olsen, superintendent of Mountain Water District, provided a detailed update on water restoration and operations. "We have overnight, we've restored service to approximately 3,000 residents, and we're at about 7,000 still without service," Olsen said. She described a phased approach: refill and sequence tanks from treatment plants outward, then follow the chain of distribution to remote "tendril" lines and individual hollows. Olsen described critical break points in the system—including about 600 feet of 8-inch pipe missing near Rockhouse/Maribone—and said the system's many tanks and pump stations make restoration slow and sequential.

Olsen said the utility had issued a countywide boil-water advisory divided into four zones (Pond Creek, Grapevine, Maribone and Shelby Valley) so that advisories can be lifted zone-by-zone as service is verified. She explained a public service survey posted on the Mountain Water District website and on her Facebook page (Tammy Olsen) that feeds an ArcGIS map showing customer reports (red for out, yellow for low pressure, green for service) to help prioritize crews.

Olsen said the utility repaired the Harless' Creek plant and restored the Williamson plant supply, and praised staff who continued work despite personal losses. She asked residents with exposed or low lines to contact the utility; she provided a contact number for follow-up and emphasized crews’ limited access in heavily damaged areas.

Local emergency conditions and forecast complications

Judge Jones warned that a snow and cold forecast could worsen conditions: the National Weather Service forecast 4–8 inches of snow in many parts of the county and a prolonged below-freezing period. He said the heaviest rates were expected late the night before through Wednesday morning and that forecasters estimated a 90 percent chance of up to 4 inches countywide and a 10 percent chance of up to 8 inches in isolated areas. Officials urged extra caution for recovery crews working in wet, cold conditions.

Search-and-rescue and volunteer coordination

Officials said multiple volunteer and faith-based organizations had arrived, including Samaritan's Purse, Southern Baptist Convention teams, the Church of Christ and search-and-rescue teams from other states. County offices assigned distribution points at fire stations and other locations; detailed lists of distribution sites and the Emergency Operations Center phone number (432-0210) were provided for residents and donors.

Casualties and missing persons

County officials said search teams believe all missing residents have been accounted for; they confirmed three fatalities related to the event.

Public-safety guidance and final notes

Officials emphasized health precautions during cleanup: tetanus shots, respirators or masks, gloves and water/soil sampling coordinated by the health department. Sheriff Scott volunteered that the sheriff's office will pick up prescriptions for residents who cannot travel. The court urged residents to call 911 for life‑threatening needs rather than using social media.

Ending: what comes next

Judge Jones said FEMA and state teams will finish damage assessments and that those assessments will determine the scope of grant or loan assistance for individuals and public infrastructure. He said the court expects supplemental state appropriations for recovery and urged residents to coordinate donations through the designated collection points. Officials warned restoration will take time and that many repairs (river crossings, relay of critical mains) will require contractors and additional funding requests to FEMA.