The death toll from catastrophic flooding in eastern Kentucky rose after the death of a person assisting with cleanup efforts, Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday.
The death toll now stands at 40 after the person died in Pike County.
There remain two women missing from the flood-ravaged community of Lost Creek in Breathitt County. Vanessa Baker, 60, and Nancy Cundiff, 29, have not been seen since July 28 when the area was struck by floodwaters.
Last week, Beshear said the Kentucky State Police aviation branch is coordinating with Kentucky Emergency Management to conduct aerial searches for the two missing women.
Two counties receive nearly $3 million for recovery efforts
Beshear also announced that Knott and Letcher counties are the first to submit requests for and receive financial assistance from the $212 million Eastern Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies (EKSAFE) fund.
Together, the two counties will receive more than $1.28 million in funding, which includes $531,000 to Knott County Fiscal Court to relieve strained fiscal liquidity and $531,000 to Letcher County Fiscal Court to ease strained fiscal liquidity and $220,000 to engage a floodplain coordinator, the governor’s office said.
EKSAFE funds were appropriated by Beshear and the General Assembly last month for eligible cities, counties, public and nonprofit utilities, and school districts for much-needed financial support as the entities rebuild their communities.
(Photo l-r: Nancy Cundiff, Vanessa Baker)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
