Three months after those deadly December tornadoes in west Kentucky, several families remain displaced — with more than 600 individuals from 240 homes either in newly-purchased travel trailers, hotels or within the comfortable confines of state parks.
But those numbers continue to positively dwindle. According to Governor Andy Beshear and his Thursday afternoon update, the transition has already begun — moving individuals from state park lodge rooms to medium-term housing and state park cottages and cabins, in hopes of providing more space and kitchen areas for families.
Effective as of this week, Kentucky Emergency Management officials have now taken over the management of emergency sheltering from the American Red Cross.
This consolidation effort is also well underway within the state parks system, and Beshear said everyone will be moved out of Trigg County’s Lake Barkley State Resort Park lodge by this weekend.
Furthermore, Kentucky Emergency Management and the American Red Cross continue to review damaged properties and connect them with utility repair services.
Meanwhile, the Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund continues to pay dividends to citizens of the Commonwealth.
This week, more than 2,000 checks were mailed out as payments of up to $2,500 to assist renters and homeowners who had property insurance with manageable deductibles.
More than 2,500 checks will go out Monday, March 8, totaling more than $3.5 million. More than $5.5 million from this fund went into this relief step.
For those still needing assistance, Beshear says there’s still time. More than 170 people have reached out in recent days through FEMA, whose deadlines have been extended to March 14.
Beshear once again iterated that victims must apply through FEMA in order to begin processing any future reparations — whether they come from FEMA, or some other relief outlet.
