The Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Farm Bureau are partnering to support communities in the state’s eastern region impacted by recent flash flooding.
The flooding, which followed 8-10 inches of rainfall, is considered a “1,000-year flood.” Gov. Andy Beshear, who declared a state of emergency July 28, confirmed at least 35 lives have been lost due to the disaster.
Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles said the flash floods follow devastating tornadoes in Western Kentucky late last year. He encouraged the public to support eastern communities through the KFB Kentucky Relief Fund or physical donations.
“We’ve seen lives lost, power outages, homes knocked off foundations, and roads washed out,” Quarles said. “As the cleanup begins and we start to really see the devastation these rising waters have caused, our hearts break at the losses endured. These funds will allow families and communities to start to rebuild after these historic floods.”
The KFB Kentucky Relief Fund will collect funds through the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation to support families in flooded areas. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is also accepting physical donations of bottled water and food at its drop-off location in Frankfort.
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., thanked President Joe Biden and Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell for the quick federal assistance.
“Late last week, I joined with every member of Kentucky’s congressional delegation to support the Governor’s request to the President for a Major Disaster declaration to give our first responders federal help,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “President Biden issued that declaration promptly and resources are already flowing into the Commonwealth to assist local emergency personnel.”
Missouri also experienced extreme flooding, as record-breaking rainfall hit St. Louis last week. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe acted on behalf of Missouri Gov. Mike Parson last Tuesday to declare a State of Emergency due to the flooding. On July 26, over eight inches of rain were reported near St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
Sunday, Parson said FEMA would participate in Preliminary Damage Assessments throughout affected areas.
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