Carlisle County reports more than $1 million in initial flood damages; state, federal declarations remain

Carlisle County emergency management reported initial damage assessments for recent flooding and said the county remains under a state of emergency while assessments continue.

Emergency management staff told commissioners the countywide estimate for damage is about $1,014,100, a total the office said includes culverts, shoulder and paved-road washouts, and gravel-road failures in river-bottom areas. County representatives said they had completed damage assessments with state and federal partners; a statewide damage total cited in the meeting was approximately $93,587,008 as of the morning the report was given.

The director said repair work has begun on life-safety priorities and that some roads remain underwater, which delayed a kickoff meeting on long-term recovery. "We did file for an extension, just due to we still have roads underwater, that we weren't able to get to," emergency management staff said.

Staff also reported distribution of two specialized weather radios for hearing-impaired residents; the devices include a strobe light and a mattress shaker to provide overnight alerts. The county will participate in an additional distribution round if more eligible residents are identified.

Emergency management deputy Will Crafton was reported to be completing his Certified Kentucky Emergency Manager (CKEM) certification and will follow up with the court regarding any recommendation letters the county needs to provide.

Commissioners were informed that repairs to stabilize severely damaged roads have already begun in several areas to reduce immediate risk to residents.