[♪♪] GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO KENTUCKY TONIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT: KENTUCKY’S FLOOD RESPONSE.

THE CLEANUP IS UNDERWAY AFTER YET ANOTHER WEATHER DISASTER IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE DEATH TOLL REMAINS AT SEVEN, AFTER WIDESPREAD FLOODING THAT FORCED MORE THAN 70 COUNTIES TO DECLARE STATES OF EMERGENCY.

IN LOUISVILLE, THE OHIO RIVER CRESTED AT ABOUT 37 FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE — THE CITY’S WORST FLOODING SINCE 1997.

THE KENTUCKY RIVER PEAKED AT 45 FEET IN FRANKFORT.

AT ONE POINT, HIGH WATER FORCED 550 STATE HIGHWAYS TO CLOSE.

AND ALL OVER THE STATE, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH HOME AND BUSINESS DAMAGE.

LAST WEEK, FOR OUR NIGHTLY “KENTUCKY EDITION” NEWSCAST, WE SPOKE TO FLOOD VICTIMS WHO WERE TAKING STOCK OF THEIR LOSSES, HELPING THEIR NEIGHBORS, AND COUNTING THEIR BLESSINGS.

#### >> IT IS A VERY SERIOUS HISTORIC TYPE FLOODING GOING ON IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

10 TO 15 INCHES OCCUR OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR DAYS, WHICH WAS THE MOST WE'VE EVER HAD IN OUR AREA RECORDED GOING BACK AS RECORDS GO.

I DON'T KNOW THAT ANY COMMUNITY IS EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH 10 OR 15 INCHES OF RAIN.

>> THE ACTUAL FLOODING DID OCCUR IN WHAT WE CALLED 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN AREA.

AND THE THING THAT MADE IT DEVASTATING IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, NOT ONLY DID THE FLOODING COME UP BUT IT CAME UP PAST OUR 100-YEAR FLOOD LEVEL.

100-YEAR FLOOD LEVEL IS 402 FEET AND THIS FLOOD, AGAIN I'M NOT AN ENGINEER, BUT I'M TELLING YOU THIS FLOOD CAME UP THREE FEET OVER THAT.

WE'RE STILL STRUCK AND WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO HELP THE BUSINESSES AND RESIDENCES COME BACK.

BUT WE'RE RESILIENT.

>> THIS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF FLOODING.

MOST PEOPLE ARE GETTING FLOODED AND THE WATER IS GOING TO COME IN AND GO OUT FAST.

THIS WATER COMES IN AND IT JUST SITS THERE FOR DAYS, POSSIBLY WEEKS.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FLOODING OVER HERE.

SO WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST.

>> LOST JUST LOST THAT IS ALL YOU CAN SAY.

YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

WE DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO GET HELP.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE THAT REALLY BLESSED US WITH A FEW NIGHTS IN A MOTEL, NICE.

IT GIVES US TIME TO LOOK FOR A PLACE BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN AFFORD ONE.

I MEAN, I DON'T DRAW MUCH ON SOCIAL SECURITY MYSELF IT'S PRETTY ROUGH.

>> WE PREPPED AS MUCH AS WE COULD WHEN WE HEARD THIS WAS COMING.

THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH THAT CAN HELP US STACKING THING IN THE HOUSE KNEE-HIGH UP IT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH BECAUSE IT'S WAIST HIGH.

DEVASTATING.

MY HOUSE WILL BE PAID OFF IN OCTOBER SO IT'S HARD TO JUST WALK AWAY, BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT'S ALMOST FIVE ACRES BACK THERE AND 2200 SQUARE-FOOT HOME THE BARN AND GARAGE THEY ARE NOT THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD BUT IT'S OURS AND ALMOST PAID FOR.

>> THE RIVER HEAD FLOODED MOST OF FRANKFORT IN A LOT OF PLACES AND PLACES NEVER FLOODED BEFORE GOT HIT.

>> WENT TO BED SATURDAY NIGHT AND GOT UP SUNDAY MORNING AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE PHYSICALLY ILL.

IT WAS PROBABLY FOUR OR FIVE FEET AWAY FROM THE CRAWL SPACE.

WE MADE THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD AND START MOVING OUR FURNITURE THAT WE COULD UP TO A HIGHER LEVEL ON TABLES AND WHATNOT.

>> EVERYONE HAS BEEN AFFECTED IN SOME WAY SHAPE, FORM OR FASHION.

WHETHER SOMEONE LOST A HOME, SOMEONE HAS HAD TO VAC AT OR SOMEONE WHO IS HELPING OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN FLOODED INSTEAD OF THEMSELVES.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE JUST WANTED TO FEED EVERYBODY.

WE JUST WANTED TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST 48 HOURS.

>> 200 PLUS YEAR HISTORY WE HAVE LIVED THROUGH A FEW FLOODS.

THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN THE LATEST AND ONE OF THE MOST SEVERE THAT WE'VE SEEN.

AS WE BRING BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT BACK INTO SERVICE OUR TEAMS ARE ALSO ENSURING THAT THERE'S NO COMPROMISE TO OUR QUALITY.

INSPECTION OF BARRELS BEGAN YESTERDAY AND WILL BE ONGOING UNTIL ANY AFFECTED BARRELS HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATELY ASSESSED AND THIS IS A VERY INVOLVED PROCESS INCLUDING BOTH BARREL INSPECTION AS WELL AS A RIGOROUS QUALITY TESTING THAT WE DO WITH ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS PRODUCED AT BUFFALO TRACE.

INSPECTION IS EXPECTED TO TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS.

>> IT'S NINE FEET IN OUR HOUSE.

WE LIVE IN WOODFORD COUNTY ON BUCK RUN ROAD ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER.

AND WE KNEW THE RIVER WAS GOING TO COME UP AND WE PREPARED FOR TWO-THREE FOOT FLOOD.

YOU LIVE ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER, YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET WET.

NOT THIS WAY.

THERE ARE HOUSES DOWN THERE THAT HAVE NEVER FLOODED THAT HAVE BEEN EVACUATED FARMING COMING IN BOATS AND GETTING MY NEIGHBORS OUT.

IT'S DEVASTATING TO IT'S CLIFTON, BUCK RUN IN WOODFORD COUNTY AND IT'S SO SAD.

SOME PEOPLE GOT CAUGHT UNAWARES, YOU KNOW, AND LOST SO MUCH MORE THAN WE HAVE.

>> THIS IS MY PROPERTY RIGHT HERE AS WELL.

AND I GOT ONE DOWN THE STREET.

ALL THE WAY UNDERWATER.

>> I GOT A HOUSE ON THIS END OF THE STREET, PROPERTY IN THE MIDDLE, AND THEN A HOUSE AT THE OTHER END OF THE STREET AND WE ARE STAYING AT THAT END.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, MY WIFE, AND FIVE OF MY KIDS AT THE MOMENT.

IF THE GENERATOR GOES OUT ALL THE POWER IS OUT, CELLPHONE CHARGERS ARE OUT.

REFRIGERATOR IS NOT WORKING.

I HAD TO CARRY THE GENERATOR ON A KAYAK GASOLINE EVERYDAY, PROPANE EVERYDAY.

FLOOD INSURANCE ISN'T AN OPTION BECAUSE YOU LIVE IN THE FLOOD PLAIN.

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER FLOOD DAMAGE.

SO IT'S ON ME.

WE CAN START CLEAN UP.

A LOT OF PEOPLE'S REACHED OUT TO US WE'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH GOOD PEOPLE THAT WANTS TO HELP.

AND CAN'T WAIT TO START.

>> Renee: OUR THOUGHTS GO OUT TO ALL OF THOSE WHO SURVIVED THIS FLOOD AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT AND THEIR FAMILIES.

TO TALK ABOUT THE KENTUCKY FLOOD RESPONSE WE HAVE GUESTS IN THE LEXINGTON AND FRANKFORT STUDIOS TO DISCUSS THIS.

IN LEXINGTON, WE ARE JOINED BY ERIC GIBSON, DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT; BRIGADIER GENERAL BRIAN WERTZLER, DEPUTY ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD; STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOSH BRAY, A REPUBLICAN FROM MOUNT VERNON; AND SERGEANT MATT SUDDUTH, PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER WITH THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE.

AND IN FRANKFORT, WE HAVE STATE REPRESENTATIVE ERIKA HANCOCK, A DEMOCRAT FROM FRANKFORT; AND MICHAEL MUELLER, THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

YOU CAN SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS BY X — FORMERLY TWITTER -- AT PUB AFFAIRS KET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO K-Y TONIGHT AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G. OR USE THE WEB FORM AT K-E-T DOT O-R-G SLASH K-Y TONIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS.

BOTH HERE IN LEXINGTON AND AT OUR FRANKFORT OPERATIONS CENTER IN THE CAPITOL ANNEX.

WE KNOW YOU ARE EXHAUSTED AND WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING TIME.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU DIRECTOR GIBSON YOU'VE BEEN EVERYWHERE THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS AND HEAR HOW THE PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT IF THEY ARE GOING TO FIND A WAY TO GET THROUGH BUT THEY ARE WORN AND WARY AS WELL.

MANY SEEM WELL PREPARED.

TALK TO US ABOUT THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THIS PARTICULAR STORM.

WE HEAR IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME WE HAVE A STORM WE SAY IT'S HISTORIC WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT AND THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY THE STORIES ARE WIDESPREAD.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD HEAR FROM PEOPLE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY FROM MORGAN COUNTY TO FULTON COUNTY, YOU ARE HEARING THE SAME TRAGEDY OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

WHEN YOU SHOW THAT CLIP THAT IS THE SAME THING THAT'S GOING ON HERE AND THERE.

AND AS YOU TALK ABOUT IT, IT TRULY WAS A HISTORIC RAINFALL, 15.8 INCHES IN BENTON, KENTUCKY BUT WE HAD MANY INCHES OF RAIN ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

AS WE SAW THIS FLOOD COME DOWN AND WE WARNED OF IT VERY, VERY EARLY AS SOON AS THE WEATHER SERVICE STARTED TALKING TORRENTIAL RAIN, 10-15 INCH RAINFALL TOTALS WE STARTED TALKING THE WARNINGS AND PUSHING THEM OUT THROUGH THE BROADCAST OUTLETS TO WARN PEOPLE OF THE EVENT AND I THINK IT DID HELP BY LETTING PEOPLE HAVE A FOREWARNED TIME TO MOVE THEIR STUFF UP TO HIGHER ELEVATIONS THEY TALKED ABOUT TO EVACUATE TO A SAFE LOCATION TO SHELTER OUT THE STORM.

THE EARLY WARNING WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE WITH THE MEDIA OUTLETS AND THE AGENCIES THAT WERE PARTICIPATING IN THAT, MAY HAVE SAVED SOME LIVES HOPEFULLY SAVED PROPERTY FROM BEING DAMAGED BUT THERE IS A TREMENDOUS IMPACT FROM MORGAN COUNTY TO FULTON.

>> Renee: DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OR IS IT TOO EARLY TO SAY?

>> THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS TREMENDOUS.

YOU SAW SOME OF THE INDUSTRY PEOPLE ON THERE TALKING, BUFFALO TRACE HEAVILY IMPACTED.

OUT OF PRODUCTION FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

I VISITED DOWN TO THE AREA IN LOUISVILLE WHERE THE TORNADOES WENT THROUGH THAT INDUSTRIAL PARK, THE MAYOR SHARED THEY ESTIMATED THE DAMAGES EARLY ESTIMATES WERE $100 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THE INDUSTRIAL PARK.

TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ECONOMIC IMPACT AND THAT IS TWO SPOTTED AREAS.

THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT THIS UNDER PERSPECTIVE JUST YET.

WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY, MANY HOMES AND INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY THE STORM AND OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN ON THAT TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS DISPLACED BY SHELTERING TO APPLYING FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH FEMA.

TO MAKE ENSURE WE'RE TRYING TO MEET THE NEEDS WHERE THEY ARE.

AND ALSO THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SIDE THE GOVERNMENT'S INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH THE COMMUNITIES THE COUNTIES AND THE CITIES AND THE STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAVE TO BE PUT BACK BECAUSE THOSE WERE DAMAGED ROADS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

SO OBVIOUSLY IT IS A VERY WIDESPREAD IMPACT AND I KEEP SAYING THAT AND IT'S TRUE AS YOU LOOK AT THAT THREE SIDES OF IT.

THE GOVERNMENTAL IMPACT, THE BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL IMPACT, BUT TRULY THE HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED ARE AS MANY AS YOU CAN COUNT AS I START GETTING INTO THE DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS COMING IN.

WE'VE NEVER SEEN ESTIMATES COME IN ALL ALONG THAT RIVERFRONT ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER HUNDREDS OF HOMES HAVE BEEN WET.

>> Renee: WE KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVEN FATALITIES RELATED TO THE SEVERE WEATHER THIS RECENT ROUND.

AND NOT THAT ANY LOSS OF LIFE IS TRAGIC, BUT DO YOU TAKE SOME STOCK IN THE FACT THAT THAT DEATH TOLL ISN'T HIGHER?

>> WELL, THE EARLIER STORMS WE'VE HAD PRODUCED MORE FATALITIES BUT EVERY STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF LIFE.

AND IT IS TRAGIC ONE KENTUCKIAN ONE PERSON LOSES THEIR LIFE THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO PREVENT.

THE ROADS ARE DANGEROUS DURING THESE EVENTS THE FLOODWATERS ARE DANGEROUS AND AS I WORK THROUGH ALL SEVEN OF THOSE WITH OUR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS TO VERIFY THEY WERE STORM CONNECTED RELATED TYPE OF INCIDENTS, I HEAR THE STORIES FROM EACH OF THE EVENTS AND TRULY THESE THOSE FAMILIES ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW.

AND MY HEART GOES OUT FOR THEM.

TRULY HAD THIS IS IMPACTFUL TO THEM.

IT IS A TRAGIC EVENT.

>> Renee: BRIAN WERTZLER THE KENTUCKY GUARD STANDS POISED TO JUMP IN IN THESE TIMES, THE RECENT WINTER STORMS WE HAD BACK IN FEBRUARY THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A CRISIS THAT YOU ALL RESPOND TO.

TALK TO US ABOUT HOW WHAT ROLE THE GUARD DOES PLAY WHEN THESE SEVERE WEATHER INCIDENTS OCCUR AND TO HELP PRESERVE LIFE?

>> ABSOLUTELY, RENEE THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

THE NATIONAL GUARD MOTTO IS ALWAYS READY, ALWAYS THERE.

SO OF RECENT THIS YEAR, WE'VE HAD THREE NAMED DISASTERS.

SO JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH WE'VE BEEN READY TO RESPOND.

FOR THIS DISASTER AS WE ALL KNEW WAS COMING IN AS WE WERE GETTING REPORTS FOR IT.

UNLIKE OTHER DISASTERS WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST BECAUSE IT WAS COVERING THE STATE.

SO WE HAVE 54 ARMORIES ACROSS 120 COUNTIES.

WE PUT FOUR TO SIX PERSON TEAMS IN EACH COUNTY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE NEED WAS GOING TO BE.

WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH KENTUCKY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

IN FACT WE HAVE OPERATION CENTER WITHIN THEIR HEADQUARTERS TO WORK CLOSELY WHO ARE WORKING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND AND TO ENSURE WE ARE NOT LATE IN NEED.

IF THERE'S ANY CAPABILITY WE CAN PROVIDE TO THE STATE AND THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> Renee: WE HAVE SEEN VIDEO IN PAST WEATHER INCIDENTS WHERE YOU'VE AIRLIFTED PEOPLE FROM THEIR FLOODED AREAS.

WAS THAT AN EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAD THIS TIME AROUND?

>> IT WAS NOT THIS TIME.

BUT JUST LAST MONTH IN FEBRUARY, WE DID DO THAT IN MARTIN COUNTY.

WE WERE ABLE TO IN COORDINATION WITH KENTUCKY STATE POLICE, AND ARMY AND AIR AS WELL AS INDIANA PROVIDED AIRCRAFT AS WELL.

WORKING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY 296, 298 OUT OF MARTIN COUNTY THAT THE WATERS WERE COMING UP ON AN APARTMENT COMPLEX THEY WERE SURROUNDED SO WE WORKED COORDINATED EFFORT WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO AIR EVACUATE THEM TO A SAFE PLACE.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE WE APPRECIATE YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

YOU WORK IN TANDEM ALL THREE OF YOU DO.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE KSP DOES DURING THESE WEATHER EMERGENCIES?

>> SO OBVIOUSLY KENTUCKY STATE POLICE TROOPERS A LOT OF TIMES WE ARE THE FIRST ONES MAYBE RESPONDING TO SOME OF THESE SITUATIONS.

OUR TROOPERS ARE THE FIRST ONES GETTING TO THE SCENE AND BEFORE THAT, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR DISPATCHERS.

THEY ARE THE ONES TAKING THE CALLS AS THIS IS HAPPENING REALTIME.

OBVIOUSLY BEFORE THE FLOODING WE HAD SOME VERY SEVERE WEATHER COME THROUGH KENTUCKY PRIOR TO THAT WITH TORNADOES RIPPING THROUGH I BELIEVE IT WAS WESTERN KENTUCKY.

OUR TELECOMMUNICATORS THROUGH THIS FLOOD EVENTS ANSWERED 19,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE.

SO THAT OBVIOUSLY IS A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON OUR TELECOMMUNICATORS DEEK WITH THE CRITICAL INCIDENT SOMETHING LIKE WEATHER LIKE NOW.

AND THEN OUR TROOPERS ARE RESPONDING TO CALLS FOR SERVICE.

AND MANY OF THOSE CALLS ARE SIMPLE THEY SEEM SIMPLE THEY ARE WELFARE CHECKS WE'RE GOING TO CHECK A LOVED ONE CALLED AND WANTS US TO CHECK ON THEIR FAMILY MEMBER WHO MAY LIVE IN AN AREA IMPACTED BY THE FLOODS.

OUR TROOPERS ARE NAVIGATING ROADWAYS THAT ARE PROBABLY ALREADY TREACHEROUS TRYING TO FIND THEIR WAY TO THESE HOMES AND GO IN AND TRY TO CHECK ON THESE INDIVIDUALS.

>> Renee: AS WE KNOW NOW EVERYONE HAS BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR.

THERE IS NO ONE MISSING.

WE HAVE THE SEVEN FATALITIES BUT THERE ARE NO MISSING?

>> WE'RE NOT TRACKING MISSING PERSONS RIGHT NOW.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET AND THE ROLE THEY PLAY.

HUNDREDS OF ROADS WERE IMPACTED.

AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE CURIOUS, WHO WANT TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING.

BUT TALK TO US ABOUT HOW THE DECISION IS MADE TO CLOSE THOSE ROADS HOW QUICKLY WHAT IS THAT PROCESS LIKE MAKING THAT DETERMINATION.

>> I THINK YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACTED ROADS FROM THE FLOODING THE LANDSLIDES THROUGH THE TWO EVENTS CLOSED MANY, MANY ROADS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH AND THOSE REPORTS COME INTO THE DISTRICT AND GO OUT WITH BARRICADES.

BUT FOR THIS EVENT WE END UP IN THIS EVENT HAVING TO ORDER MORE ROAD BARRICADES TO CONTINUE TO BLOCK ROADS THERE WERE MORE ROADS BLOCKED THAN WE HAD BARRICADES ON HAND THAT WERE NOT BEING EMPLOYED SOMEWHERE ELSE.

WE BLOCKED OFF TO TRY TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM DRIVING THROUGH AT THAT TIME STANDING SWIFT WATER.

MANY, MANY OF OUR FATALITIES OVER THESE YEARS IF YOU LOOK BACK TO THE HISTORICAL FLOODS, AND YOU READ PEOPLE PASSED AWAY BECAUSE OF THE STANDING WATER DRIVING THROUGH THAT WATER AND MAKING THAT MISTAKE AND THAT'S WHAT WE PUT THE BARRICADES UP FOR AND WE ASK PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION.

BECAUSE THE ROADS CLOSED ARE THERE BECAUSE IT'S IN UNSAFE TERRITORY.

>> Renee: AND NO INCIDENTS OF FATALITIES LINKED TO THOSE WHO MAY HAVE ENDEAVORED TO GO THROUGH THE BARRICADED?

>> ON THIS PARTICULAR EVENTS?

>> ON THIS PARTICULAR EVENT.

>> WE HAD A VICTIM THAT DID COME FROM A CAR.

>> Renee: WELL, I WANT TO GO NOW TO TO OUR FRANKFORT STUDIO AND TALK TO MICHAEL MUELLER THERE.

WE KNOW THAT FRANKLIN YOU HEARD IT IN THE REPORT A MOMENT AGO AND YOU'VE LIVED THIS FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS BEEN UNDER TREMENDOUS WATER AND TALK TO US ABOUT HOW THINGS LOOK NOW AND WHERE THERE'S STILL DISTRESS?

>> WELL, FIRST I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT IS IN YOUR STUDIO THERE.

THEY HAVE BEEN PIVOTAL TO HELPING FRANKLIN COUNTY NAVIGATE THIS STORM.

WITHOUT KENTUCKY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, RED CROSS, THE STATE POLICE, THE NATIONAL GUARD, THEY HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE DAY ONE.

AND WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THEM.

IT'S BEEN A LONG, LONG HARD ROAD.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE 514 HOMES TOUCHED WITH DAMAGES.

SOME MINOR, SOME TOTAL LOSSES.

WE DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS YET.

SO WE ARE IN THE PHASE NOW I'M VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT FRANKFORT HAS COME TOGETHER CITY AND COUNTY WORKED AMAZINGSLY.

I THANK THE GOVERNOR AND THE RESOURCES HE HAS GIVEN TO US.

WE ARE STILL IN THE CLEAN UP PROCESS.

THERE IS A LOT OF SHOCK.

WE HAVE PEOPLE IN HOTELS.

WE HAVE THINGS IN PLACE.

EVERYBODY HAS A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.

CAN'T THANK THE STATE FOR REACHING OUT.

WE'VE HAD FOOD VENDORS AND EVERYONE IS BEING TAKEN CARE OF EVEN OUR FIRST-RESPONDERS AND OUR ROAD CREWS.

RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE BACK TO THEIR HOMES.

THEY ARE STARTING TO DIG OUT.

THEY ARE FIGURING OUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

THERE'S SOME OUT IN THE COUNTY WE'VE CONDEMNED SIX HOUSES.

AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THAT MEANS TO THOSE PEOPLE.

WHERE WE'VE HAD LANDSLIDES INTO THE RIVER.

DOWNTOWN, THERE'S AREAS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN HIT AND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ONE OF THE GENTLEMAN SAID IF YOU LIVE IN THE FLOOD PLAIN YOU CAN'T HAVE INSURANCE.

PEOPLE PAID THEIR HOMES OFF AND NOW THEY ARE DESTROYED.

WHAT COMES NEXT I DON'T KNOW.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP WORKING AS A COMMUNITY AND HELPING EACH OTHER.

AND WE'RE TRYING EVERYDAY TO GET OUT THERE AND SEE EVERYBODY AND SEE HOW WE CAN HELP THEM.

I, MYSELF, WENT THROUGH THE '97 FLOOD BUT BEING IN THIS POSITION HERE IS A LOT DIFFERENT AND I'M GLAD I AM.

IT IS A LOT.

BUT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT'S HELPED US SO FAR.

WE HAD A JUDGE FROM PERRY COUNTY TODAY SHOWED UP WITH A SEMI OF SUPPLIES AND HE SAID WE'VE BEEN THROUGH 14 OF THESE AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

IT'S VERY NICE.

>> Renee: WELL, NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS REGARDLESS OF THE DISTANCE, RIGHT?

I WANT TO ASK YOU, JUDGE, ABOUT YOU MENTIONED THAT SOME OF THOSE HOMES AND RESIDENCES HAVE BEEN CONDEMNED AND SO WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

ARE HOTELS LENDING PLACES FOR DISPLACED RESIDENTS TO STAY?

WHERE ARE THEY?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE EVERYBODY IN HOTELS, EVERYBODY'S BEING TAKEN CARE OF IF IT'S THROUGH A LOCAL ORGANIZATION OR STATE IF THEY WERE LIVING IN STATE HOUSING THEY ARE GOING TAKEN CARE OF WHEN YOU LIVE ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO GET WET.

BUT THIS STORM WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN WE LEFT EMERGENCY COMMAND CENTER AT 1:00 A.M.

THEY WERE PREDICTING 45-47 FEET.

PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE RIVER UNDERSTAND OUR HOUSE WILL GET WETNESS IN THE BASEMENT.

WHEN WE GOT THE CALL AT 5:30 IT BUMPED UP TO 49.5, WHAT HAPPENED WAS PEOPLE COULDN'T -- THE ROADS WERE GETTING WASHED OUT IT WAS TOO LATE.

THANKFUL THAT THE GOVERNOR AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WE HAD THREE SWIFT WATER TEAMS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY HERE.

WE HAD 200 PEOPLE RESCUED FROM BOATS.

SO I THINK WE WERE VERY, VERY LUCKY.

WE DIDN'T HAVE MORE FATALITIES THAT WE DID.

SO WE'RE STILL AT THE POINT OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL IS KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

NOW IT'S TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS ARE AND WE'RE USING OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS AS SUPPORT.

AND WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN AND WE'RE STICKING TOGETHER.

>> Renee: WERE THERE MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ISSUED?

>> THERE WERE.

SO I WAS VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD WHEN WE KNEW THINGS WERE GETTING REAL BAD THEY WENT KNOCKING DOOR-TO-DOOR IN THE AREAS IN DOWNTOWN FRANKFORT WHERE IT HAD NEVER BEEN FLOODED.

THERE WASN'T MANDATORY BUT WE STRONGLY ASKED PEOPLE TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES.

AND THE BIG MAJORITY OF THEM DID.

AND THE ONES THAT DIDN'T WE ENDED UP HAVING TO RESCUE WITH BOATS.

>> Renee: IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT BRIAN WERTZLER ABOUT THOSE EVACUATION PROCESSES.

>> WE'RE JUST HERE TO HELP.

WHATEVER THE REQUEST IS, THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHETHER THE WELFARE CHECKS OR WHATEVER IT IS.

WE GOT TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM AND SUPPORT THAT.

>> Renee: IF PEOPLE MAKE THE CHOICE NOT TO LEAVE THAT IS THEIR CHOICE TO DO SO, RIGHT?

>> YES, IT IS.

LIKE THE JUNG SPOKE OF.

IT WAS ENCOURAGED WE WANTED TO HEADACHE SURE PEOPLE KNEW WE WERE WORKING THROUGH THOSE AND THE WORD WAS BEING PASSED WE EXPECT THE RIVER TO GET HIGHER THAN EXPECTED AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE NEW PREDICTIONS WERE SHARED WITH ANYONE IN THAT PATH AT THAT POINT OR THOSE MAPS.

THE GUARD IS PART OF THE TEAM.

TRULY.

THIS IS WE HAVE A SIGN TEAM OF TEAMS AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE.

WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION CABINET, STATE POLICE, NATIONAL GUARD BUT WE PARTNER ACROSS ALL OF THE STATE AGENCIES AND WORK CLOSELY AND TRULY WE TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH WE'RE ALL INVOLVED IN THIS AND MANY OF THE LEGISLATORS THAT REPRESENTATIVE BRAY WITH US NOW, BUT TRULY THEY ALL REACH OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITIES AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TAKES THE ROLE OF TRYING TO COORDINATE THAT RESPONSE, CONTINUE TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT IF IT'S THROUGH THE MEDIA OUTLETS, DOOR-TO-DOOR KNOCKING, THE LOCAL LEADERS AND I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE JUDGE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE.

I TALKED TO SO MANY OF THE JUDGE EXECUTIVES AND COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGERS, MAYORS AS WELL, THAT CARE ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY SO DEEPLY THAT THEY JUST NEEDED THE INFORMATION THAT IT TAKES TO HELP SAVE THEIR COMMUNITY OR TO WARN THEIR CITIZENS OF THE IMPENDING DANGER.

SO IT TRULY IS TEAM OF TEAMS.

AND IT DOESN'T EXCLUDE ANYONE FROM THAT TEAM.

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THERE IS A PROBLEM COMING AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIND EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DO TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY.

WHEN WE WORK THROUGH IT WE USE ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES BECAUSE THOSE COMMUNITY LEAD REMEMBERS BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT CAN GO OUT AND CONVINCE AND LET THEIR CITIZENS KNOW OF THOSE CONCERNS.

>> Renee: GO TO YOU REP BRAY, YOU'VE PROCESSED TO HELP PEOPLE WITH FEMA APPLICATIONS AND YOU'VE BEEN A PART OF THE PROCESS TO HELP RESPOND WHEN THE INSTANCES OCCUR AND THERE NEEDS TO BE STATE APPROPRIATION OR GENERAL FUND SUPPORT TO HELP THESE COMMUNITIES WHO ARE DISTRESSED BY FLOOD OR SEVERE WEATHER ELEMENTS.

>> BEFORE I GOT INTO THE LEGISLATURE I WAS A CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND IN 2018 WE HAD FLOODING AND LOST INFRASTRUCTURE HAD A SEWER PUMP BURN-OUT AND THAT STARTED A FIVE-YEAR PROCESS OF SPENDING FOR FEMA REIMBURSEMENT PROVING WE HAD DAMAGES.

I UNDERSTAND HOW THAT GOES AND MORE IMPORTANTLY HOW THE LEGISLATURE IS RESPONSIBLE TO HELP STEP IN AND HELP BEAR SOME OF THIS BURDEN FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST NATURAL DISASTER WE'VE HAD SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE.

IN 2020, 2022, WE HAD THE TORNADOES, ACROSS WESTERN KENTUCKY.

AND THEN 2022 WE HAD THE FLOODING IN EASTERN KENTUCKY.

WE SETUP THE WK SAFE FUND AND GOT $200 MILLION AND THE SAME FOR THE EAST.

I DO NOT EXPECT THIS WILL BE ANY DIFFERENT.

LAST SESSION, WE HAD ADDRESSED THROUGH HOUSE BILL 544, WE ALLOWED ABOUT $153 MILLION FOR THE FLOODING THAT HAD HAPPENED IN THE EAST BACK IN FEBRUARY.

AND SO AS WE GET BETTER ESTIMATES AND KIND OF ONCE THE RIVERS START RECEDING ACROSS THE STATE, I FULLY EXPECT THAT THE LEGISLATURE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN THE RECOVERY THIS TIME.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE HANCOCK, FRANKLIN COUNTY THAT IS YOUR DISTRICT AND WE'RE GLAD YOU ARE WITH US WITH THE JUDGE IN OUR FRANKFORT STUDIO.

TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE SEEN AND THE ROLE THAT LAWMAKERS CAN PLAY IN HELPING FOLKS REBUILD?

>> WELL, THANK YOU, RENEE FOR HAVING ME.

SO I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A HAT ON I AM AN INSURANCE AGENT BY DAY, STATE REP BY DAY AND I'VE LIVED ON THE KENTUCKY RIVER.

THESE PEOPLE ARE MY FAMILY.

SO RIGHT NOW WHAT WE'RE DOING MY SON AND MY HUSBAND AND I WE'VE BEEN GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR AND SEEING WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.

IT'S HARD TO WHEN IT'S SO DAUNTING, THE PROCESS AND HOW THESE PEOPLE ARE IN SO MUCH SHOCK ABOUT WHERE TO EVEN BEGIN.

SOMETIMES IT'S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING IN AND START RIPPING OUT DRYWALL AND CARPETS GETTING THE MUD OUT OF THE HOUSES.

HOUSING PEOPLE, FEEDING PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW JUST WHAT COMMUNITY DOES.

SO AS FAR AS BEING A COMMUNITY MEMBER THAT IS WHAT I'VE DONE.

AS AN INSURANCE AS I'VE HAD TO DELIVER THE BAD NEWS THE POLICIES DO NOT COVER THE CONTENTSES OR THEY DON'T HAVE COVERAGE LIKE DELIVERING THE WORST NEWS THEY HAVE HEARD BECAUSE THEY ARE DOWN AND IT HURTS.

THAT'S BEEN TOUGH.

AS A LEGISLATURE WE CAN COME IN AND GIVE THE FUNDS TO THE COMMUNITIES TO MAKE SURE THESE PEOPLE THE BIGGEST ISSUE RIGHT NOW IS WHERE ARE WE GOING TO HOUSE EVERYBODY?

THREE OR FOUR MONTHS IS GOING TO BE AT MINIMUM A LOT OF HOUSES GETTING REBUILT.

AND IT'S TRYING TO FIND HOUSING FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE DOGS OR KIDS OR HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO HOUSE THEM.

SO I'M REACHING OUT TO ALL THE REALTORS IN TOWN SEEING WHAT IS AVAILABLE MYSELF.

I'VE HELPED WITH THE FEMA APPLICATIONS.

I KNOW RIGHT NOW THIS STORM ISN'T ON THE APPLICATION.

BUT YOU CAN SELECT THE FEBRUARY STORM AND ENTER IN THE APRIL DATE YOU CAN START FILLING OUT THE FORMS.

I'VE CREATED A CHECKLIST OF THINGS YOU NEED BEFOREHAND AND A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS THERE.

OUR LITTLE SCHOOL SYSTEM WE HAD 200 FAMILIES DISPLACED AND OUT OF SCHOOL FOR A WEEK COMING OFF OF OUR SPRING BREAK AND MAKING SURE FOLKS KNOW WE'RE HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL THIS IS A MARATHON IT IS NOT A SPRINT AND NO SOMETIMES IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO HELP GET IN YOUR CAR AND KNOCK ON DOORS AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP.

SOMETIMES IT IS AS SMALL AS GIVING SOMEBODY A HUG OR A CASE OF WATER.

JUMPING IN THERE AND HELPING ANYWAY YOU CAN.

AGAIN IT IS A MARATHON.

THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE DEALING WITH FOR A LONGTIME.

AND I JUST WANT MY CONSTITUENTS TO KNOW FRANKFORT AND FRANKLIN COUNTY TO KNOW WE'RE HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL.

>> Renee: I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHEN PEOPLE REENTER THEIR HOMES AND THE DIRECTOR HAS COMMENTS HE CAN LEND TO THIS AS WELL, TO DO SO SAFELY IT IS NOT JUST MUD THAT ARE YOU DEALING WITH WHEN YOU GO BACK INTO A HOME AND TO MAYBE HAVE HAD A TETANUS SHOT OR OTHER PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T DO MORE INJURY TO YOURSELF ENTERING YOUR HOME.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT AND HOW YOU HELP PEOPLE PRACTICE BEST PRACTICE SAFETY ROUTINES?

>> YEAH.

SO WE HAD SEVERAL CLINICS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY THAT GAVE AWAY THE TETANUS SHOTS I RECEIVED MINE AT FRANKFORT HIGH SCHOOL THE OTHER DAY.

MAKING SURE THOSE ARE UP-TO-DATE.

MY SON IS 17 HE HAS BEEN KNOCK ON DOORS THAT CHILD HAS NOT SAT STILL MAKING SURE HIS TETANUS SHOT WAS UP TO DAY.

THERE HAVE BEEN LIKE RED CROSS WAS HANDING OUT PPE AND JUST GLOVES, RUBBER GLOVES ANYTHING THAT WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH ISN'T JUST RIVER WATER IT IS DIFFERENT YOU CAN GET SICK FROM IT.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, WASH YOUR HANDS AND KNOW THAT IT'S NOT JUST RIVER MUD THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH IT COULD HAVE CHEMICALS AND THINGS THAT COULD BE DAMAGE TO YOUR HEALTH.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE PASSING OUT THE PPE I WAS ON BIG EDDIE WHEN SOMEBODY CAME BY DO YOU NEED ANYMORE?

MAKING SURE YOU GET THOSE FOR YOUR FOLKS THAT ARE HELPING AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

IT'S MENTALLY DRAINING AND MAKING SURE THAT THE VOLUNTEERS ARE HERE IN TOWN, UTILIZE THOSE VOLUNTEERS.

IT'S HARD WHEN YOU LIVE ON THE RIVER AND YOU WANT TO GET IT DONE YOURSELF.

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AND TAKING THE BREAKS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG HAUL, RENEE.

>> Renee: WELL, YOU MENTIONED THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AND SINCE THE FLOODING BEGAN THE RED CROSS HAS HAD BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

LAST WEEK, "KENTUCKY EDITION" HERE AT KET TAG ADD LONG WITH VOLUNTEERS TO GET A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FIRST STEPS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.

>> THIS ONE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE DRASTIC, I'D SAY BECAUSE IT IS A PROLONGED FLOOD.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE UP FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AND PEOPLE ARE ANXIOUS TO GET BACK INTO THEIR HOMES TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO GET ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.

A LOT HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED THIS.

SO THEY ARE GOING TO BE KIND OF IN THE DARK.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE RED CROSS WILL STEP IN AND HELP AND THEY HELP THEM THROUGH CASE WORK TRY TO GET THEM GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR RECOVERY.

>> WHAT WE FOCUS ON AS FAR AS IMMEDIATE NEEDS ARE MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY THAT WARM MEAL, SOME PLACE THEY CAN GO DURING THE DAY IF THEY ARE CLEANING UP, CHARGE THEIR PHONE, TAKE A BREAK, CURRENTLY WE HAVE CLOSE TO 400 RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS AND DISASTER RESPONDERS ON THE GROUND ACROSS KENTUCKY FROM PADUCAH AND BOWLING GREEN TO LOUISVILLE AND FRANKFORT JUST BEING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY HELPING SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS, OPERATING OVER A DOZEN SHELTERS JUST TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE SOMEWHERE SAFE TO STAY AND A WARM MEAL TO EAT, SOME PLACE TO CHARGE THEIR PHONE AS THEY FIGURE OUT THEIR NEXT STEPS.

SINCE THE FLOODS HIT, WE HAVE BEEN ON THE GROUND OFFERING SHELTER, WE PREPOSITIONED SUPPLIES BEFORE THE RAINS STARTED.

BEFORE THE RAINS STARTED WE HAVE WORKED WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY SHELTERING LOCATIONS.

REALLY WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO HELP SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES.

AFTER WE'LL WORK WITH THESE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS AND DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT THEM AS THEY WORK ON THEIR ROAD TO RECOVERY.

AND THAT CAN DIFFER DEPENDING ON THE PERSON, DEPENDING ON THE COMMUNITY.

>> LOUISVILLE CENTRAL KENTUCKY YOU HAVE WESTERN KENTUCKY.

WESTERN KENTUCKY ALL THE TOUGH IN LOUISVILLE HAS TO GO TO PADUCAH.

SO IT'S WIDESPREAD.

NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE TO CONTEND WITH THE RIVER AND THE KENTUCKY RIVER YOU HAVE TO CONTEND WITH THE LITTLE STREAMS GOING INTO THAT.

SO YOU KNOW, THIS IS A WIDESPREAD OPERATION IT'S COVERING JUST ABOUT THE WHOLE STATE.

QUITE A FEW HOMES THAT WATER'S SIX, SEVEN FEET INSIDE THE HOMES.

AND A LOT OF AREAS ARE STILL INACCESSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE HIGH WATER ACROSS THE ROADS.

THE DAMAGE IS OUT THERE WE HAVE TO FIND IT.

>> 90% OF OUR WORKFORCE ARE VOLUNTEERS AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT PUT THEIR PERSONAL LIVES ON HOLD.

AND JUST WHEN THE DISASTER HAPPENS THEY COME.

THEY SHOW UP.

THEY FAN OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO HELP WHEREVER THE NEED IS.

AND THEY STAY USUALLY FOR TWO WEEKS AT A TIME SOMETIMES LONGER SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES IN NEED.

>> HIM'S TAKEN SO MUCH OUT OF MY COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO GIVE BACK AND MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

IF I CAN DO THAT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM, THEN I'VE DONE MY JOB.

>> Renee: WELL, THAT GOES TO THE FRIEND ROGERS SAYING IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND DISASTER YOU LOOK FOR THE HELPERS AND YOU ALL IN THE STUDIO, ARE THE HELPERS.

SO IS THE AMERICAN RED CROSS.

WE'RE GOING TO SHIFT THE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.

WE'VE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE CAN YOU DONATE TO HELP THE FLOOD VICTIMS.

LET'S START NOW WITH WHAT'S NEXT.

I KNOW THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN COME IN AND REPRESENTATIVE HANCOCK BEING AN INSURANCE AGENT SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE OF ALL THE THINGS I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT NOW IS PAPERWORK.

REPRESENTATIVE BRAY CAN YOU GIVE US TIPS WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO ONCE THEY GET BACK IN THEIR HOMES AND THEY ARE READY TO REBUILD AND RESTART OVER.

>> JUST MY PAST PIECE OF ADVICE IS TAKE PICTURES.

ANYTIME YOU ARE DEALING WITH FEMA FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES DOCUMENT EVERYTHING YOU CAN.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I'VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST I FELT MORE LIKE A PHOTOGRAPHER THAN ANYTHING BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DOCUMENT EVERYTHING SO YOU HAVE TO JUSTIFY EVERYTHING TO THAT IS MY BEST PIECE OF ADVICE.

REACH OUT TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE KNOWLEDGE ON IT.

Mr. GIBSON AND HIS TEAM THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH.

FROM A LOCAL LEVEL.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF SMALL CITIES, SMALLER COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE BEEN HIT HARD WITH THIS.

JUDGE EXECUTIVES, MAYORS, MAKE SURE YOU REACH OUT.

BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE THEY DO THIS PROFESSIONALLY THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

AND THEY CAN REALLY HELP.

BECAUSE AS THESE COMMUNITIES START REBUILDING, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF EFFORT FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

AND PEOPLE LIKE Mr. GIBSON AND HIS TEAM DO A PHENOMENAL JOB IN WALKING LOCAL OFFICIALS THROUGH HOW THEY CAN START THE REBUILDING PROCESS.

>> Renee: AND FOR THOSE AVERAGE EVERYDAY RESIDENTS, REPRESENTATIVE HANCOCK, YOU KNOW IF THEY HAVE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE BECAUSE THEY WERE DAMAGED BY THE FLOODS THEY CAN TAKE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE IS THAT ENOUGH?

>> WELL, THE PICTURES ARE GOOD WHAT WE USUALLY RECOMMEND FROM THE INSURANCE STANDPOINT IS GO ROOM BY ROOM AND GET AN INVENTORY OR SEVERAL DOCUMENTS OUT THERE THAT ARE INVENTORY LISTS AND JUST SIT DOWN AND HAVE SOMEBODY DO IT FOR YOU.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE THAT CAN'T PHYSICALLY PULL DRYWALL OUT OR RIP CARPET OUT THEY CAN LOOK AT THE PICTURES THEY HAVE AND WRITE DOWN EACH ITEM THAT THEY HAD AND GIVE AN ESTIMATE.

THAT IT'S TEDIOUS PAPERWORK BUT IT'S NECESSARY.

WE DO THE SAME THING IN A FIRE OR SAME THING IN A TORNADO.

THAT YOU HAVE TO DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.

SO GO AHEAD AND GET ALL THE PICTURES AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AFFECTED CAN DEAL WITH THE CLEANUP AND SOME FOLKS CAN COME IN AND FILL OUT THE INVENTORY FORMS THROUGH THE PICTURES THAT WERE TAKEN.

MAKE SURE YOU GET SERIAL NUMBERS ON BIG APPLIANCES BECAUSE YOU GET TO GO OUT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

GETTING THE MUD OUT AND CLEANING UP AND GETTING THE DRYWALL BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT MOLD ISSUES TO START HAPPENING WE DON'T WANT FURTHER DAMAGE THAT WILL MAKE THE HOUSE LONGER NOT BEING ABLE TO LIVE IN.

WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE'S ELECTRIC BACK ON.

THAT WAS SOMETHING WE HAD TO PULL METERS AND PEOPLE WERE GETTING SHOCKED FROM THE WATER WAS THE ELECTRIC WAS NOT TURNED OFF.

THE ELECTRIC IS TURNED OFF AND IT'S INSPECTED BEFORE IT GETS TURNED BACK ON.

SO THOSE ARE THE NEXT STEPS HERE.

BUT FOR ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO HELP THAT INVENTORY FORM CAN BE DAUNTING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE IN SHOCK.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING ANYBODY CAN HELP WITH OR DO.

>> Renee: WHERE DO YOU GET THAT INVENTORY FORM?

>> THERE SHOULD BE ONE ON FEMA'S WEBSITE, I HAVE ONE THAT I CAN SHARE.

THAT MAYBE A QUESTION FOR THE DIRECTOR.

YOU CAN GET ON-LINE AND GOOGLE INSURANCE INVENTORY FORM THEY ARE BASIC.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY ARE OUR STATE FARM WEBSITE HAS ONE THAT GOES ROOM BY ROOM AND YOU GO THROUGH AND LIST YOUR ITEMS.

IT IS PROBABLY THE MOST TEDIOUS PART OF THE INSURANCE PROCESS BUT THE MOST NECESSARY, TOO, WHEN IT COMES TO DETERMINING THE SCOPE OF THE DAMAGE.

AND ITEMS THAT CAN BE SAVED OR NOT SAVED TO QUICKLY GET PEOPLE BACK IN THEIR HOMES.

>> Renee: DIRECTOR GIBSON ANYTHING TO ADD ABOUT THE INVENTORY LIST AND DOCUMENTS THEY NEED TO SEEK OUT TO FILL OUT.

>> EXACTLY WHAT ARE YOU SAYING EVERYBODY IS HITTING THE POINTS, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.

AS EVERYONE SAID DOCUMENT IT WITH PHOTOGRAPHS.

ALL AROUND ANYTHING THAT IS TORN UP, WRITE IT DOWN AND MAKE A LIST BEFORE YOU START TEARING OUT AND THROWING AWAY THE ITEMS DESTROYED.

IF IT'S DOWN TO REPRESENTATIVE SAID A SERIAL NUMBER ON YOUR APPLIANCES AND THINGS DAMAGED SO THERE IS A REPLACEMENT PART YOU CAN SAY MY REFRIGERATOR WAS THIS TYPE IT IS NOT JUST A REFRIGERATOR.

BUILDING THE LIST NOW AS THE CLEANUP AND RECOVERY BEGINS IS SETTING THE STAGE FOR A GOOD APPLICATION TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR IF IT'S GOING TO BE A FEMA APPLICATION WE ARE HELPING YOU CAN, DOCUMENTING THAT LOSS IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> Renee: ARE WE GETTING INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE?

IS THAT ON ITS WAY TO HELP INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES?

>> I VERY MUCH HOPE SO.

>> Renee: WHEN WILL YOU FIND OUT?

>> NO, IT IS NOT OUR DECISION.

WE WRITE THE REQUEST FOR THE COUNTIES AS WE'RE DOING THE DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS AND LITERALLY WE HAVE COMPLETED THOSE QUICKLY.

THE WATER IS STILL RISING AND HAS BEEN IN THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

BUT THE COUNTIES WE ARE ABLE TO GET INTO WE HAVE GOTTEN INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS DONE OF THOSE HOMES AND WHEN WE SEE THAT THAT NUMBER IS SO HIGH IT'S EASY TO MAKE THAT REQUEST AND WE START WRITING THAT DRAFT AND WE HAVE SUBMITTED THAT TO THE GOVERNOR AND SIGN TO DO FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE AND FORWARDED THROUGH THE FEMA CHANNELS FOR THE PRESIDENT AND IT TAKES HIS SIGNATURE BEFORE IT'S ACTIVATED I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE PRESIDENT AND HIS STAFF WILL SEE FIT THAT KENTUCKY IS DESERVING FOR INDIVIDUAL AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AS THOSE DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS CONTINUE TO GO AND VALIDATION IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE IN DC DOING THEIR JOB.

RIGHTFULLY SO IT IS OUR JOB TO DOCUMENT THOSE DAMAGES.

AS A STATE AND SUBMIT THOSE IN A PROPER REQUEST SO THAT THE PRESIDENT CAN CONSIDER THOSE FACTS, BASED ON HIS ADVISERS AT FEMA AND GET A SIGNATURE ON THE DOCUMENT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND GET US A DECLARATION FOR ASSISTANCE ONCE THAT HAPPEN WE ARE POISED AND READY TO START OPENING RECOVERY CENTERS, SENDING PEOPLE DOOR-TO-DOOR TO KNOCK ON DOORS OF THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE STORM.

GETTING THOSE REGISTRATIONS STARTED.

AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS FIRST.

AND ONCE YOU GET THAT REGISTRATION STARTED THERE'S AND EVERYONE HERE SAID THERE'S A ROE SES TO FEMA.

BUT IT'S GOVERNMENTAL PROCESS AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE THERE FOR.

WE WANT TO HELP THE COUNTIES AND THE CITIES THROUGH THAT PROCESS THAT IS THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BRANCH AND WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE BRANCH THAT RUNS OUR SHELTERING OPERATIONS ALSO HELPS SETUP THE DRC'S AND MAKE SURE.

>> Renee: THEY ARE.

>> DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS.

SO I GOT ONE IN ON YOU.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS AND WE OPEN THOSE IN EACH OF THE COUNTIES AND THOSE ARE OPEN EARLY ON FOR PEOPLE TO REGISTER.

BUT THE VALUE IN THOSE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS AS THE EVENTS GOES AND PEOPLE START GETTING A LETTER AND WE'VE WORKED HARD TO GET THE WORDING RIGHT.

WE'VE STRUGGLED FOR YEARS ON AN ISSUE IN THE FEDERAL LETTER THAT SAID YOU'VE BEEN DENIED.

AND THE DENIAL LETTERS WERE NOT DENIALS THEY ARE YOU ARE NOT COMPLETE YET.

THE DISASTER THAT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT LETTER CHANGED AND NOW IT DOESN'T SAY YOU HAVE BEEN DENIED.

IT'S CHANGED TO SAY THAT YOU ARE MISSING THESE DOCUMENTS YOUR APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE AT THIS TIME.

AND THAT RECOVERY CENTER IN YOUR COMMUNITY IS WHERE YOU CAN GO TAKE YOUR PAPERS AND TRY TO CORRECT OR SUBMIT THOSE NEEDED DOCUMENTS TO GET THAT APPLICATION APPROVED TO GET YOUR ASSISTANCE AND THOSE PHOTOGRAPHS THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE TALKING ABOUT THOSE INVENTORY LISTS THOSE ARE THE THINGS YOU NEED.

FEMA HAS SEVERAL ROUNDS OF ASSISTANCE THAT COMES THROUGH IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE DECLARATION IS SIGNED AND YOU REGISTER.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S QUICK THINGS OUT LIKE CLEAN AND SANITIZED DOLLARS TO GET SUPPLIES TO GET YOUR HOME CLEANED UP.

ALSO THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS ASSISTANCE DOLLARS AND THAT IS BECAUSE YOU'VE LOST MOST OF YOUR POSSESSIONS YOU MAY NEED FOOD AND FRESH CLOTHES.

THAT'S REALLY EARLY ON PART OF THE DISASTER RECOVERY PROCESS.

AS THAT MOVES INTO RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER PROGRAMS, INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE THERE IS A MAX GRANT ABOUT $43,000 SOME DRAGS THAT IS ALL THAT ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS CAN RECEIVE.

>> Renee: THEY THAT NUMBER AGAIN.

>> IT'S 43500.

>> Renee: SO PEOPLE MAYBE EXPECTING TO BE MADE WHOLE.

>> THE PROGRAMS ARE NOT THAT WAY.

THE INITIAL DOLLARS AND A MAX AWARD FROM FEMA AND THAT'S T WE TALK ABOUT THAT AND PEOPLE THAT ARE INSURED, YOU KNOW, THEY MAY HAVE LOSSES AS WELL.

AND JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE INSURED DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE INELIGIBLE FOR OTHER THINGS BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE ITEMS UNCOVERED BY THE INSURANCE POLICY THAT COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.

WE ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO APPLY.

IF THEY HAVE THINGS FALL THROUGH THE GAPS ON THE INSURANCE COVERAGE THERE COULD BE COVERAGE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A FEMA PROCESS THAT HELPS DETERMINE THAT.

NOT MY PROCESS BUT THE PROCESS ITSELF.

AND AS WE WORK THROUGH THAT WITH THE FAMILIES WE WANT TO HELP THEM ANYWAY WE CAN.

AND THAT IS THE SAME THING FOR OUR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR COUNTIES AND CITY GOVERNMENTS.

BUT WE JUST MET WITH THE SUPERINTENDENTS ON A CALL WITH KDE TO TALK ABOUT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

OFTEN THERE'S LOSSES THEY HAVE ARE THINGS THEY DON'T THINK OF AND WE WORKED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING ALL THOSE APPLICATIONS AND GET EVERYBODY ON POINT BEFORE THE DECLARATION ACTUALLY IS SIGNED TO BE READY TO SUBMIT THE INFORMATION TO TRY TO HOPE THOSE COMMUNITIES RECOVER AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE HANCOCK I KNOW YOU WANT TO JUMP IN.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO SET THE EXPECTATION THAT THESE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD MOST OF THE POLICIES ARE BUILDING ONLY THERE ARE NOT CONTENTS COVERAGE WHEN IT COMES TO FEMA POLICIES.

THERE'S CERTAIN STIPULATIONS TO THINGS IN THE BASEMENT WHAT FEMA WILL AND WON'T COVER.

A LOT OF FOLKS DECIDED NOT TO CARRY THE FLOOD INSURANCE BECAUSE HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS AS WELL.

AND I'VE ALWAYS EXPLAINED THIS TO MY INSURED THAT WE ARE GOING TO WORK SEVERITY ONES FIRST THE SAME WAY THAT FEMA WORKS IN THIS CASE.

AND THE SEVERITY ONE IS DISPLACED FAMILIES.

WE CAN'T KICK PEOPLE ON THE STREET.

I WOULD ASSUME THOSE FUNDS THAT ARE COMING, AS DISHEARTENING IT'S NOT GOING TO REPLACE A BICYCLE IT'S NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE CONTENTS THAT ARE SAD THAT WE'VE LOST THEM BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF HOUSING FIRST.

SO I DO WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE FIRST SET OF CHECKS PEOPLE GET FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY ARE 100 AND 500.

AND THEY ARE THINKING THAT THOSE FUNDS THE 40,000 IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

I THINK THAT'S WHY WE SETUP THE COMMUNITY FUNDS DO BENEFIT CONCERTS THE TEAM KENTUCKY FUND THAT HELPED IN THE PAST WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT FEMA IS PRIORITY ONES WHICH IS YOUR HOUSING.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BECOME HOMELESS.

MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS UNDERSTAND THAT DON'T GET FRUSTRATED.

BUT JUST KEEP YOUR EXPECTATIONS LOW.

YOU GOT PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A HOUSE TO GO TO.

THEY DON'T HAVE FAMILY LOCALLY.

OR YOU KNOW, I'M SEEING THAT WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

PEOPLE IN OUR TOWN ARE SCRAMBLING TO FIND PERMANENT HOUSING.

AND WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL HANDS ON DECK.

IF YOU ARE A REALTOR, PROPERTY OWNER, ANY AVAILABILITY LET YOUR LOCAL OFFICIALS KNOW THAT SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE PRIORITY ONE HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE DURING THIS TIME.

>> Renee: I WANT TO GO TO JUDGE MUELLER IN THE STUDIO WITH YOU.

AND ASK ABOUT THAT.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN HELPING THESE FOLKS I KNOW THEY WILL HAVE QUESTIONS AND PROBABLY CALL YOU FIRST OR THE MAYOR.

TO GET SOME ANSWERS.

TELL US HOW PREPARED YOU ARE TO HELP THEM WADE THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT CAN BE FRUSTRATING.

>> YES, I THINK THAT'S EXACTLY THE STAGE WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW.

AND THE MORE WE CAN FIGURE OUT AND THE MORE WE CAN HELP PEOPLE RIGHT NOW THERE IS A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AND REPRESENTATIVE HANCOCK BROUGHT UP ELECTRIC.

NO ONE REALIZED THAT WHEN THEY PULL 300 METERS AND ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH FRANKFORT ON THE RIVER MOST OF THE ELECTRICAL UNITS ARE IN THE BASEMENT.

IF ANYTHING GOT WET THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED.

THAT HAS BEEN A TASK.

WE AND THE CITY SET A HOTLINE UP SO PEOPLE CAN CALL JUST FOR THAT REASON.

WE HAVE SOMEBODY STANDING BY THERE.

AND WE SETUP A HOTLINE EARLY ON WITH ANY NEEDS NONLIFE-THREATENING NEEDS THERE'S PEOPLE THERE 24 HOURS A DAY TO DIRECT YOU TO THE RIGHT RESOURCES.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S AND THAT'S WHAT THE JUDGE EXECUTIVE IN PERRY COUNTY TOLD ME TODAY IT'S STEPS, IT'S STEPS.

AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE FIGURING OUT WHO NEEDS WHAT.

PEOPLE ARE COMMUNICATING WITH US.

SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BEEN A BIG THING FOR US.

THE MAYOR AND I HAVE BEEN DOING TWO VIDEOS A DAY COMMUNICATING EVERYTHING WE KNOW.

WHEN THE STORM HIT AND WE WERE SITTING IN THE COMMAND CENTER I TOLD EVERYBODY I SAID OUR ROLES HERE ARE TO HELP LEAD THIS COMMUNITY AND TELL THEM WHAT THEY NEED.

AS WE FIND THIS INFORMATION OUT, WE'RE SHARING IT.

SO, AGAIN, I CAN'T THANK ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HELPING US BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW HALF OF WHAT IS GOING ON TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AND CALLING PEOPLE AND CHECKING ON PEOPLE LIKE I SAID OUR FIRST-RESPONDERS HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WORK AND TRYING TO CONTROL TRASH THE THINGS I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR A LOCAL POSITION THAT I'M DOING.

I THOUGHT MARRYING PEOPLE WOULD BE THE CRAZIEST THING I'VE DONE AND NOW IT'S LIFE SAFETY AND REALLY TRYING TO BE COMPASSIONATE.

WE ARE AT THE PHASE NOW, LIKE Mr. GIBSON SAYS, WE NEED THERE'S REALITY CHECKS.

PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE GOING TO BE MADE WHOLE THROUGH FEMA AND THAT'S JUST NOT THE TRUTH.

SO I THINK RIGHT NOW, TRYING TO MANAGE THAT SO IT DOESN'T GET OUT OF CONTROL IS GOING TO BE OUR MAIN FOCUS AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON.

WE HAD A MEETING THIS MORNING ABOUT THAT.

SO RIGHT NOW, I'M MANAGING EXPECTATIONS, TRYING TO SET THE PRECEDENT FOR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

BUT LIKE REPRESENTATIVE HANCOCK SAID, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THERE'S PEOPLE SCATTERED EVERYWHERE.

SOME PEOPLE ARE STAYING AT FRIENDS HOUSE AND SOME PEOPLE ARE IN HOTELS WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

I THINK IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO, WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING MORE CALLS.

WE HAVE THINGS IN PLACE TO HELP EVERYBODY.

AND WE'RE GOING TO STAY THERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.

IT'S JUST COMMUNICATION IS KEY JUST LIKE A BUSINESS.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT I'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON IS COMMUNICATING WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND DONE A LOT OF NEWS THINGS LIKE THIS AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE WE WANT TO.

FRANKLIN COUNTY 56% OF THE PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA HOW DO YOU REACH THE OTHERS?

WE'RE DOING LOCAL TV AND NATIONAL TV AND THINGS LIKE THIS.

THE MORE WE CAN GET OUT THE BETTER OFF OUR CONSTITUENTS WILL BE.

>> Renee: AND THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY CAN HELP IF THEY WANT TO DONATE AND THAT KIND OF THING.

CARE TO GIVE ADVICE DIRECTOR GIBSON OR OTHERS TO WHOM THEY CAN HELP?

HOW THEY CAN HELP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I DON'T MIND TO JUMP IN.

MANY WAYS PEOPLE CAN HELP.

YOU HEARD THE COMMUNITIES IN EASTERN KENTUCKY ARE TAKING UP DONATIONS AND MOVING THEM INTO FRANKFORT.

BUT WE HAVE AREAS ACROSS THE STATE WHERE COMMUNITIES ARE IN NEED.

AND MANY OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE NEED ARE THOSE MUCK OUT KITS THE BUCKETS, MOPS THE CLEANING SPRAY THINGS THAT AND THE PPE YOU HEARD THEM TALKING ABOUT.

THERE ARE SO MANY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT GLOVES AND MASKS.

THERE'S THE STORM RELIEF FUNDS THAT FRANKFORT HAS ONE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND THEY USED TO PAY FOR FUNERALS.

THERE ARE WAYS PEOPLE CAN HELP.

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THIS RECOVERY PROCESS.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN HELP.

WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR GROUPS OF FOOTBALL TEAMS OR CHURCHES OR WHATEVER IT MAYBE THAT WANT TO COORDINATE WORK TO COME AND HELP SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY I HAVE A GENTLEMAN BILL, HIS JOB IS TO COORDINATE VOLUNTEERS THAT COME IN AFTER DISASTERS AND HELP WORK WITH THAT.

AND WE HAVE AN ORGANIZATION IN KENTUCKY THAT HE PARTNERS WITH AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH THEM.

AS WE TRY TO GET THE VOLUNTEERS TO THE AREAS THAT ARE NEEDED.

THERE'S PROBABLY NOT A PLACE YOU COULDN'T FIND A PLACE TO VOLUNTEER RIGHT NOW IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: A POINT BROUGHT UP ABOUT SCHOOL DAYS AND AS YOU MENTIONED, GENERAL, BEFORE, YOU'VE HAD DISASTERS IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH AND WE ARE ONLY IN APRIL AND ONLY THE 14TH DAY AND WE'RE EARLY INTO SEVERE WEATHER SEASON THE ACCOMMODATIONS THAT THE LEGISLATURE SIGNED OFF ON TO HELP IN THESE CALAMITY SITUATIONS IS WHAT REPRESENT BRAY?

>> 10 EXTRA DAYS I BELIEVE IT'S 10 EXTRA DAYS.

WE GAVE THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THE ABILITY TO GIVE THAT FLEXIBILITY.

BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE'VE HAD WHETHER IT WAS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY OR IN FRANKFORT OR FULTON, WE'VE GOT EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS FLEXIBILITY ON HOW WE CAN HELP KIDS HOPEFULLY BE IN SCHOOL BUT IF THEY CAN'T WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE STILL GETTING THEIR EDUCATION.

>> Renee: NOW TO THIS SIDE OF THE ROOM AS WE WRAP UP, PREPARING FOR THE NEXT WEATHER EVENT, THERE WILL BE ONE, RIGHT?

WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE SERGEANT FOR FOLKS TO BE THINKING ABOUT AS WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDST OF SEVERE WEATHER SEASON AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD COME WHAT DO YOU ADVISE VIEWERS TO DO?

>> WELL, I THINK OBVIOUSLY ALTHOUGH HAVE A PLAN.

PLAN AHEAD.

THINK ABOUT IF YOU ARE BEING IMPACTED BY A POTENTIAL TORNADO SYSTEM OR FLOODING OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE, HAVE SOME SORT OF A PLAN IN PLACE.

AND THAT INCLUDES WHAT SUPPLIES MIGHT YOU NEED.

IS YOUR VEHICLE DOES IT HAVE ENOUGH FUEL IF YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED, I GUESS.

BUT TRY YOUR BEST TO PLAN AHEAD AND THINK OF WHERE YOU MAYBE ABLE TO GO TO IF IT'S WHETHER IT'S FLOODING OR THE MAIN THING IS HAVE A PLAN.

THINK AHEAD.

AND OBVIOUSLY ANOTHER GOOD TOOL WOULD BE KNOW YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS PHONE NUMBERS.

OBVIOUSLY 911 IS ALWAYS THERE IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY BUT YOU MAY HAVE A SITUATION WHERE IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A 911 EMERGENCY BUT YOU NEED TO CHECK WHAT IS GOING ON, YOU CAN CONTACT YOUR LOCAL KSP POST ALL OF OUR PHONE NUMBERS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE.

YOU CAN GOOGLE THOSE AND FIND THOSE THERE.

THE MAIN THING IS HAVE A PLAN.

MAKE IT AHEAD.

>> Renee: AND THE TAKE THE WRARNING SERIOUSLY THAT IS WHAT SAVED A LOT OF LIVES THAT PEOPLE WERE SEEMINGLY IN SOME LOCATIONS PREPARED THEY WERE MOVING FURNITURE OUT AND MAKING PROVISIONS BEFORE THE WORST HIT.

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

IF I MIGHT TALK TO MY SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN OUT THERE, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, AND ALSO WE NEED TO BE PREPARED.

TO OUR MOTTO AS I STATED EARLIER, ALWAYS READY AND ALWAYS THERE MEANS WE NEED TO BE PREPARED.

WE ARE THE ORGANIZATION TO SUPPORT KENTUCKY SO THERE'S FIGHT TONIGHT BUT WE'RE SUPPORT KENTUCKY TONIGHT AND WE'LL FIGHT ANYWHERE FOR THE NATION.

BUT WE OWE IT TO THE STATE BECAUSE WE ARE THE KENTUCKY'S NATIONAL GUARD.

WE ARE THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD BUT WE'RE YOUR SOLDIERS.

6400 IN THE ARMY 1200 IN THE AIR GUARD.

WE ARE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR WHATEVER MAY COME AS EVIDENCED BY THE EVENTS ALREADY THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND WE OWE THE STATE TO PROTECT AND THEN SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE EVENT HAPPENS.

>> Renee: AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR IT.

WE ARE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING THE HELPERS THE VERY FIRST HELPERS THAT WE TURN TO AND RELY ON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND I HOPE YOU ALL ARE ABLE TO GET REST.

WE THANK THE JUDGE AND STATE REP ERIKA HANCOCK IN OUR STUDIO IN FRANKFORT.

THANK YOU.

REP BRAY FOR BEING WITH US EVERYONE ELSE AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC AND HOPEFULLY WE WON'T HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN.

IF WE DO WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.

WE HOPE YOU JOIN US MONDAY NIGHT FOR A SPECIAL REPORT AGING AND HEALTHCARE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO WATCH.

AND "KENTUCKY EDITION" WE'RE STILL FOLLOWING THE FLOOD AND THE RECOVERY EACH WEEKNIGHT AT 6:30 EASTERN 5:30 CENTRAL.

I'M RENEE SHAW THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

AND TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

SEE YOU SOON.