Kentucky officials have announced that they will use $2.5 million in grants to study flood mitigation strategies in some of the areas that saw historic flooding in 2021.
Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers announced on Wednesday that $2.5 million in federal and state funding have been set aside for the study which will identify mitigation options for the Kentucky River in and near Beattyville.
Officials say that similar initiatives made a huge effect in western Kentucky in recent years.
โOur region has suffered a tremendous loss due to flooding, year after year,โ Rogers said in a statement. โAlong the Cumberland River, weโve had great success in protecting our communities with the help of the Army Corps (of Engineers), and Iโm hopeful that we can do the same in the Kentucky River valley.โ
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The study will look at structural work, such as levees and floodwalls, along with relocation or elevation of buildings in the flood zone, and other measures.
Lee County is the local sponsor for the study and its matching funds will come through a state program, the Flood Control Local Match Participation Program. Another $800,000 in federal funding may be approved later this year, Rogers said.
In March 2021, Beattyville, which is roughly an hour’s drive southeast of Lexington, and the nearby areas were affected by historic floodwater levels. Numerous homes were flooded, and more than 20 downtown businesses were shut down.
In Perry County, which is located further east, historic flooding in July of this year killed 15 people and completely destroyed houses and businesses. According to regional insurance agents, hardly anybody in the severely affected districts had bought flood insurance.
Rogers advised homeowners to exercise patience while the study is being conducted because flood-control projects require time and money to complete.
Story was adapted from Insurance Journal.
