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Eastern Kentucky lawmakers describe extensive flood damage; bridges, roads and hundreds of homes affected
Summary
Senators representing Eastern Kentucky described widespread flood damage across multiple counties, reporting destroyed bridges, tens of millions in road damage and hundreds of homes impacted. Lawmakers asked about recovery planning, workforce use and long-term flood mitigation.
Two lawmakers representing Eastern Kentucky briefed the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee on widespread flooding that officials said has caused severe public-works and private damage across a large portion of the region.
Senator Wheeler described recent flood impacts in Pike County and surrounding areas, saying local officials reported “11 bridges” lost in Pike County and preliminary estimates “for the county roads in Pike County alone probably exceed $50,000,000.” He said the Pikeville Independent School System closed temporarily and that “the road to the Elkhorn City Elementary and Middle School is complete loss, complete collapse.” Wheeler said some schools were being used as shelters and that small businesses, pharmacies and groceries were “completely underwater.”
Another senator representing five counties — Floyd, Bell, Harlan, Letcher and Knott — told the committee his preliminary total of public damage in those counties was “over $30,000,000,” and that local officials had identified roughly “60 businesses” and “over 500 homes” affected, with about 450 homes likely to be totally damaged and candidates for mitigation or buyout.
Lawmakers and witnesses described immediate response operations, including the National Guard, helicopters and first responders assisting residents in hard-to-reach areas. Senator Wheeler said he had spoken with FEMA’s interim director and local emergency management directors about immediate needs and longer-term recovery. Wheeler also highlighted the region’s existing economic challenges, including declines in traditional industries, which will complicate recovery.
Committee members asked whether reconstruction plans will prioritize hiring local workers. Senator Neal asked specifically about using local and Kentucky workers in recovery contracting; Wheeler said in 2022 recovery efforts coordinated national contractors but also contracted local firms for debris removal and other tasks and that lawmakers sought to prioritize local hiring where possible.
Lawmakers discussed long-term mitigation as well. Wheeler said a multi-decade Army Corps of Engineers project — which has previously received state match money from the General Assembly — exists to provide flood-control infrastructure in parts of the region but “it’s not anything that's gonna be done in the next 2 or 3 years.” He and other senators urged clearing and dredging of creeks and removing river obstructions to reduce the chance of lodge-up and further damage, and said Senator Webb filed a bill intended to clarify and address some flood-control actions.
No formal committee action, appropriation or vote was taken during the testimony. Senators said they would continue to gather data from county judges/executives and local officials to quantify immediate needs and discuss potential legislative responses.
Ending: Committee members thanked the witnesses and said the legislature would continue to monitor needs and recovery efforts as more damage assessments become available.
