Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced more than $14.4 million to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in four communities across the eastern part of the state that were hit by historic floods in 2022.
The cities of Beattyville in Lee County, Fleming-Neon in Letcher County and Booneville in Owsley County along with the Knott County Fiscal Court will each receive funding.
The floodwaters in eastern Kentucky in late July of 2022 caused 45 deaths. The floods destroyed homes and businesses and damaged schools, roads, bridges and water systems. The disaster also deprived thousands of families of all their possessions.
Very few — about 2.6%— of the residential properties in the hardest-hit Perry County had flood insurance coverage. Many had no homeowners insurance at all.
After the 2022 floods, the state tapped $2.5 million in federal and state funds to determine mitigation strategies for the area. Officials said similar efforts in western Kentucky in recent years have made a significant difference there.
Beattyville has been awarded over $2.3 million to help rehabilitate the city’s existing wastewater treatment plant, which suffered damage during the 2022 floods. The plant serves more than 500 homes as well as two correctional facilities.
More than $5.7 million in funding will go to Fleming-Neon to help replace six water storage tanks throughout the city’s distribution system. Replacing the damaged tanks will help the city continue to provide safe water to over 900 homes.
Booneville is receiving more than $1 million to help improve its sewage system by eliminating two river crossings. The system was damaged during the 2022 floods, stemming in part from increased water pressure at the river crossings. This collection serves over 200 Kentuckians. Booneville Mayor Nelson Bobrowski said the project will save the city $1,000 a month in electric costs.
More than $5.3 million has been awarded to the Knott County Fiscal Court to help build a new wastewater treatment plant in the community of Caney that was severely damaged tin the floods. The new plant will be out of the floodplain and will ensure service to the communities of Caney and Mallie, as well as Alice Lloyd Community College.
The funding has been made available through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program.
Topics
Flood
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