Gov. Beshear provides tornado recovery update: ‘We will rebuild’

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — In Thursday’s regular Team Kentucky update, Gov. Andy Beshear addressed the ongoing tornado recovery efforts in Laurel, Russell, and Pulaski Counties.

“To those affected by this weekend’s severe weather, our promise to you is the same one we’ve made to each and every family impacted by natural disasters these past few years,” Beshear said. “We will rebuild every home and every life. We will keep showing up over and over. We will walk this road of recovery together.”

In a May 20 letter to President Donald Trump, Beshear requested a major disaster declaration and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) individual and public assistance. Upon approval, individual assistance would be available for eight counties and public assistance in 22. The governor’s office said it’s likely that additional counties will be added.

As of May 22, the president has not yet approved the disaster declaration request.

The death toll in connection with the southeastern Kentucky tornadoes remains at 19, including 17 in Laurel County, a Pulaski County woman, and an Indiana woman killed in Russell County. Eight people injured in the deadly storms are still at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. The governor’s office reported that three remain in critical condition, one serious, and four are expected to recover.

Beshear said that no one is considered missing at this time in relation to the severe weather.

At the time of the governor’s briefing, about 1,201 customers were without power, down from peak outages at 172,711.

Hundreds of Kentuckians have been displaced. Beshear said that 31 people are taking shelter at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, 14 by the Red Cross, 40 at Airbnbs, and 65 households by Praxel. However, many are taking shelter, funded by volunteer organizations or on their own.

Team Kentucky is reportedly working to obtain 100 travel trailers at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park.

U.S. Highway 27 has also reopened following extensive cleanup and emergency repairs. However, crews remain at work, and the Parkers Mill Road intersection is still blocked for signal repairs. Barricades and detours will be fluid as crews work to clean and repair roadways and power sources across the southeast region affected.

“Visit goky.ky.gov before traveling to make sure your route is not affected by road closures,” the governor’s office emphasized.

Beshear also urged Kentuckians who are willing and able to give to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. The fund supports survivors and hopes to assist with funeral expenses for those lost in the May storms.

So far, Kentuckians have raised $1.3 million in donations from 5,735 donors, per Beshear’s office.

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