Pike County says repeated flood washouts have cost more than $4 million; court approves emergency spending and projects

At a July 21 special called meeting, the Pike County Fiscal Court said repeated flood and washout events have forced the county to spend more than $4 million from its general fund and approved several emergency authorizations and contracts to keep roads and services functioning.

Judge (name not specified), the presiding official, told the court that since the Feb. 15 flood the county has experienced multiple additional washouts and “we've spent over $4,000,000 on flood repairs,” money the county has had to take from its general fund. He said FEMA has not yet paid on the county's claims and that the county expects FEMA to reimburse 75% of eligible costs but remains responsible for a local share. “We haven't received any money from anyone,” he said, urging state action on unused SAFE funds and warning that long delays could force the county to seek a line of credit.

The meeting's primary discussion focused on damage and ongoing repairs in multiple hollows and small communities including Feds Creek, Motley Fort, Rockfork, Beaver area, Trace Fork, Pond Creek, Blackberry and the Mouth Card/Elkhorn area. Road supervisor Fabian described crews working overnight after a recent washout and said storm runoff “washed the ditches out 6 foot deep” in places. Treasurer Frankie said county bills related to flood repairs and other obligations had pushed the current bill list to more than $5.3 million for the month and projected another large bill approaching $3.5 million next month; he said the county had not yet received FEMA reimbursements.

Court members and staff emphasized limits on what county crews can do while…