FEMA dispatches emergency medical suppliers to Kentucky, Tennessee

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — Less than three years after providing eight tons of urgently needed medications and supplies when floods ravaged eastern Kentucky, rapid response team members from Americares were dispatched by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help Kentuckians after flooding, followed by arctic cold.

Americares, an organization that delivers vital emergency supplies to areas met with disaster and poverty, announced that teams launched a response on Wednesday to help restore access to essential health services in Kentucky and Tennessee.

“The southeastern U.S. is grappling with yet another round of severe flooding, and local health facilities are once again under immense strain,” said Americares Director of U.S. Emergency Response Mariel Fonteyn. “We’re focused on restoring access to health care in impacted communities and providing our clinic partners with the medicines and relief supplies they need to care for their communities during this challenging time.” 

In a press conference on Wednesday, Gov. Beshear said the death toll from flooding over the weekend and severe winter weather Tuesday night into Wednesday remains at 14 people.

“Americares relief workers are among the first to respond to emergencies, helping to restore health services for survivors,” the organization said in a news release. “After disasters, the organization often stays for months—or years—helping communities recover.”

On Sunday, President Trump approved Gov. Beshear’s disaster declaration for Kentucky. On Tuesday, Beshear announced that he had sent a request for individual assistance, which would provide additional funding and support long-term recovery from the weekend’s flooding.