Floods
Links Providing Flood Relief Information/Support
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
Knott County Extension Service
Letcher County Extension Ag & Natural Resources
Breathitt County Extension Office
Perry County Cooperative Extension Service
Current News
Flood Reports (July - December 2022)
Presentation for Extension Agent Use
New Fact Sheets from FEMA
Kentucky Flood Recovery - Sept. 6, 2022 FEMA document
Common Reasons for FEMA's Determination of Ineligibility
Private Roads and Bridges - FEMA document
County Agents and Specialists,
The recent flooding events in Eastern KY will require significant roadway/bridge repairs and debris removal from streams. Work in and along streams typically requires permits from the KY Division of Water, but considering the immediate needs and the disaster declaration the KY Division of Water has released the guidance below for debris removal and repairs. I have attached a guidance document for stream obstruction removal and a list of KY Division of Water contacts that may be useful.
If you have more specific questions, feel free to reach out to me or Lee Moser and we will help you find answers.
Amanda
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The Kentucky Division of Water’s Water Resources Branch will be handling stream construction permitting and Water Quality Certifications for municipalities, counties and other state Agencies for the Eastern Kentucky flooding events as follows:
Proceed with emergency debris removals and repairs to roadways, bridges, stream banks, utility pipes and utility lines (including water and wastewater) if the work can be conducted prior to October 1, 2022. Please fill out the Disaster Permitting Worksheet for after-the-fact authorization from the Division for work conducted prior to October 1, 2022 to allow FEMA reimbursement.
Please fill out the Disaster Permitting Worksheet to receive authorization prior to completing work that cannot be conducted by October 1, 2022.
Each location where work was or is to be performed needs to be documented on the worksheet, and all information for both information tabs of the worksheet must be completed. You can find a copy of the disaster permitting worksheet here: https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/FloodDrought/Documents/Disaster%20Permitting%20Package.zip (Note: documents must be extracted from this .zip file)
Emergency work should be completed using the following guidelines:
Debris Removal:
- Comply with the stream maintenance guidelines (one-step removal process). More information can be found here: https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/PermitCert/WQ401Cert/Documents/Stream%20Management%20Guidelines.pdf
Minor repairs to roadways, bridges, or stream banks that will impact streams or wetlands:
- Follow General Certification Conditions for the applicable Nationwide Permit. General Certifications can be found here: https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/PermitCert/WQ401Cert/Pages/General-WQ-Certification.aspx
- The Water Quality Certification Web Viewer can be found here: https://kygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=074e895497ca4cfaa9d548b496cbc2b6
- Culverts and bridges should be replaced in kind or increase water conveyance through the structure
- Roadways and embankments should be restored to original contours, or may require individual stream construction permitting.
Larger complex projects or project that will impact Outstanding State Resource Waters to be conducted after October 1, 2022:
- Contact the Water Quality Certification Section at 401WQC@ky.gov or 502-564-3410.
- Use the Water Quality Certification Web Viewer to see if your activity will occur in an Outstanding Resource Water: https://kygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=074e895497ca4cfaa9d548b496cbc2b6
DOW staff that can be really useful during this time:
Samantha Vogeler – Water Quality Certification, Samantha.Vogeler@ky.gov, Office: 502-782-6995; Cell: 502-229-6661
- David Coe – Floodplains, david.coe@ky.gov, 502-782-6296
- Shawn Hokanson - Water Resources Branch Manager, shawn.hokanson@ky.gov, 502-782-6977
UKNOW August 2, 2022: UK Specialists Offer Food Clean-up Strategies
Below are more resources for protecting family heirlooms, as well as replacing supplies for work.
CERF+: The Artists Safety Net – Support and emergency grants related to artists whose work/supplies/livelihood has been impacted by climate disaster.
NCAPER Field Guide - Gives a snapshot of federal disaster assistance programs.
Cultural institutions and arts organizations affected by the flooding can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202.661.8068
Members of the public who have questions about saving family heirlooms can email the National Heritage Responders at NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org
HENTF’s Save Your Family Treasures guidance is available at https://www.fema.gov/assistance/save-family-treasures
Immediate TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE
24/7 Collections Emergency Hotline: 1-855-245-8303
Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) staff members are available 24/7 to provide telephone advice to institutions and individuals handling collection-related disasters. Information provided includes advice on drying wet collections and dealing with damage from fire, pests, and mold. This service does not include on-site assistance.
National Heritage Responders: 1-202-661-8068: The American Institute for Conservation’s National Heritage Responders (NHR) is a highly skilled team of conservators and other collections care professionals with expertise in emergency response. NHR members provide advice and on-site response to institutions via the hotline number listed above. All assistance provided by the NHR is free. Less urgent questions can also be answered by emailing info@conservation-us.org. Individuals and the general public should email NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org for advice.
From Dr. Paul Vijayakumar
Associate Extension Professor – Food Science
Dept of Animal and Food Science and FSIC
University of Kentucky
Good morning. Extension personnel fielding food/produce safety questions from growers and others in the flood affected areas in Kentucky, to help answer questions please see attached documents for guidance and PLEASE REFER TO INFORMATION FROM THE LINKS BELOW ON GUIDANCE FROM FDA.
Click here for the July 31, 2022 update from Governor Beshear's office.
Gov. Andy Beshear opened an online portal for donations to flood victims at TeamEKYFloodReliefFund.ky.gov. The website will allow Kentuckians once again to help their neighbors in a time of desperate need. The funds will be used to provide long-term relief to individuals directly impacted by this historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky. These donations can help with food, shelter and other necessities of life and supplement emergency funds that come into the area.
Contributions are being raised to support 4-H members, employees, and families from counties facing significant losses from the July 2022 flooding. Any funds not utilized for these efforts will remain in the fund for the future needs of 4-H’ers. https://kentucky4hfoundation.org/relief-fund/
Publications/Educational Resources
Research based information for preparing and recovering from a flood.
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