Woodford County declares emergency, eases zoning rules to speed flood recovery

Woodford County Fiscal Court on April 22 declared a state of emergency after widespread April flooding and adopted an emergency ordinance to suspend or modify portions of the county zoning code for 180 days to help affected residents repair or rebuild.

The ordinance, adopted by unanimous vote, incorporates the judge's earlier executive order and allows simplified permitting and temporary exemptions under Articles 4, 8 and portions of Article 10 of the Woodford County Code of Ordinances for properties damaged by the April flood. The ordinance says simplified permitting will “focus on essential safety and code compliance as determined by the county building inspector” and that the emergency measures apply only to flood-impacted properties; conveyance of a property after the flood renders it ineligible for the exemptions. The county attorney said the court acted under KRS 67.078(2) to adopt the emergency measure in a single reading.

Judge Executive Kane (title used in meeting) told the court the action is intended to help survivors demolish, repair, renovate and rebuild more quickly while preserving public safety and the county’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. The emergency order remains in effect for 180 days unless rescinded sooner and may be extended if needed.

At the same meeting the court approved several immediate recovery measures: ratifying a $10,000 disbursement to the Woodford County Foundation for temporary housing assistance; ratifying a facility-use agreement allowing the American Red Cross to operate a disaster recovery center at the Woodford County Senior Center; and approving two contractor invoices for flood debris work — Park Landscaping for $6,000 and Woodford Welding for $5,000 — after county staff validated the work. The court also approved an $11,000 purchase agreement with Net Recovery for two service program participants, to be funded from opioid settlement dollars.

Federal aid status: County staff and emergency management reported they have not yet received a Major Disaster Declaration from FEMA for the April event. Director Drew Chandler said federal and state officials have been conducting joint damage assessments and that, as of the meeting, the county’s best validated damage totals were 12 destroyed residences, 135 major-damage residences, 4 minor-damage residences and 19 otherwise affected properties. Chandler said debris removal and infrastructure stabilization (notably bank stabilization at a water intake) are priority needs and that debris removal is expected to be reimbursable if a declaration is issued.

Outside organizations: Elise Hillman, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration, briefed the court on SBA disaster loan availability for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits; she said the SBA had extended the application deadline and encouraged affected parties to check options. The Red Cross continued to operate a congregate shelter and to provide direct financial assistance at the senior center; officials said in-person assistance was available through the Friday following the meeting.

The judge and staff said they will continue to work with state and federal partners, validate contractor invoices, and route emergency vendor payments by email so contractors are paid quickly. The court also said it will present a formal resolution establishing a Woodford County Flood Survivors Relief Fund through the Woodford County Foundation at a future meeting to formalize longer-term assistance for housing and other urgent needs.

Quotes from meeting (verified): “This is for flood survivors only. It's meant to be for people to rebuild their primary residences mainly, rebuild their lives, not for people to sell it for somebody else to do something different,” Judge Executive Kane said when explaining that exemptions end on property conveyance. Director Drew Chandler said, “We couldn't have done that without all the organizations of the county, mutual aid from our neighboring jurisdictions…local businesses, faith-based organizations, and volunteers.”

What’s next: The court will continue validating damage assessments, process contractor invoices for payment pending FEMA declaration, adopt the proposed flood survivors relief fund at a subsequent meeting, and monitor whether the emergency ordinance should be extended or amended.