Governor Andy Beshear was personally on hand Friday morning at Pennyrile Forest State Park, handing over the keys for 10 brand-new campers and mobile trailers to Dawson Springs families that lost nearly everything in the December 10 and 11 tornadoes.
It’s the first of 200 such units coming for qualifying west Kentucky residents through FEMA, and made possible from $15 million unlocked by the Kentucky General Assembly in House Bill 5.
Beshear noted Pennyrile Forest State Park has room for nearly 40 of these units, and that west Kentuckians should expect to see “more than double” staged at critical locations by the end of next week.
Under FEMA regulations, Beshear said families will be able to stay in these units for a minimum of six months with a monthly check-up and re-certifying process. However, he’s expecting a six-month extension for families in the hardest-hit locations such as Bremen, Dawson Springs and Mayfield — as permanent homes will take considerable building time following a debris removal process that’s been methodical and effective, but tedious.
These units won’t just be at hookup stations, either. Beshear noted that many families will be opting to have their campers placed on their original properties, in order to maintain oversight of the continued cleanup.
Hopkins County Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield said that Dawson Springs experienced between 450,000 and 500,000 cubic yards of debris and damage, and that as of Friday morning 50-to-55% of that cleanup has been completed.
What these trailers bring, Whitfield said, is a sense of “hope.”
Dawson Springs Independent has returned to school, and has a bevy of food stuffs and other supplies. Now, Whitfield said it’s time to turn and attack other needs.
In regards to the West Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, Beshear noted the first 20% increased payments over FEMA for the uninsured renter and homeowner started going out Friday morning, and all funerals caused by the storms have been financially arranged, as well.
The next item on the list, Beshear said, is the intent to extend financial support to those who suffered considerable damage or total loss, but were insured and covered appropriately — potentially by reducing deductibles.
Beshear is urging anyone and everyone who suffered damage of any type during these natural disasters to apply for FEMA by February 11. Even if it’s denied, Beshear added the application process is providing his office and other key organizations with the proper documentation needed to account for loss.
