NICHOLAS COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Andy Beshear has issued a state of emergency for Nicholas County after a severe storm damaged homes and other properties in the area. The governor also sent a letter Tuesday to President Joe Biden requesting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assesses the damage in the county.
Gov. Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jaqueline Coleman joined state and county leaders to visit the county on Tuesday afternoon. They got a closer look at the damage left behind by the storms.
State officials say the county received more than 4 inches of rain, which caused major flash flooding in downtown Carlisle and along Brushy Fork Creek, causing multiple roads to close and streets to flood. One resident died of drowning.
Approximately 80 homes and 30 businesses have been destroyed by flooding. Nicholas County officials estimate over $1.5 million in infrastructure damage, including the city’s sewer system, which is still not operational.
The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management has been on site since Friday morning to provide assistance to local officials. County and city officials currently are performing damage assessments. Once complete, the FEMA will then be asked to perform a Joint Damage Assessment for Public and Individual Assistance.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has provided heavy equipment to assist the City of Carlisle clear debris and is working to address standing water with abatements. The Kentucky National Guard Armory is being used as a flood response resource distribution center and is available for residents to use showers. Multiple volunteer organizations have also been activated to support residents.
“We have been working with county and city officials on a coordinated response to assist with sheltering and emergency services,” stated Michael Dossett, director of Kentucky Emergency Management. “We are requesting federal assistance in the form of a joint FEMA assessment team to assess the damages as soon as possible.”
Dossett added: “We are creating a multiagency recovery center that will leverage all state cabinets and state partners in a community solution for the flooding event in Carlisle. That will include insurance, agriculture, volunteer assistance, disaster services, and more. We hope to announce the opening of the recovery center and the location in the next several days.”
Residents of Nicholas County who have been affected by the flooding are encouraged to contact Nicholas County Emergency Management or the City of Carlisle Emergency Management for assistance.
