In the wake of several successive powerful storms over the last five years, Trigg County Fiscal Court and its magistrates approved for Judge-Executive Stan Humphries to seek funding through FEMA and its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program — hopes to build five public shelters in different parts of the community weighing in the balance.
If awarded by federal authorities, the total cost would be around $105,000, with 75% coming through the grant, and the remaining 25% coming through state and local appropriations.
Brian Jones, with the Pennyrile Area Development District, said Trigg County Emergency Manager David Bryant had been in contact with his office since last year about this opportunity — and Bryant confirmed he already has five locations picked out following approval from landowners.
Those spots: Cerulean, the Trigg County Recreation Complex, Roaring Springs, East Golden Pond Fire Department and the Cadiz Fire Department.
All locations, he added, would be above ground and hold at least 22 people, or one per five square feet, while being able to withstand significant weather stressors.
Bryant said he “didn’t want to be greedy” in the federal ask, having already been turned down for request of more storm sirens, but this effort would certainly help with safety.
Bryant also said at least two dozen local citizens sought public shelter during the early April deluge, if not more.
And speaking of those April storms, Bryant confirmed that Trigg County did not meet the federal threshold required to earn individual assistance rights through FEMA, but did qualify for public assistance support. He and Humphries both also noted the county entered into an emergency disaster declaration Monday morning — following last Friday’s blast through west Kentucky.
Humphries said locations and times for new debris piles, outside of the Trigg County Road Department, would soon be announced.
In other fiscal court news:
— Some dates of importance, according to Humphries, include:
+ A Memorial Program, which is planned for 10 AM Monday, May 26, down at West Cadiz Park.
+ At 11 AM Saturday, May 31, there will be a memorial dedication for the late W.H. McRidley at the UBF Cemetery. A reception at Genesis Express to follow. It was originally scheduled in April, before storms postponed it.
+ On June 2, there will be a second reading of the budget, following a successful return from the Department of Local Government.
+ Trigg County’s Take Kids Fishing day is set for June 7 at West Cadiz Park. Volunteers are still being sought.
+ The Pennyrile Area Development District will host its Annual Dinner Monday evening, June 9, at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville.
+ At 9 AM June 17, Trigg County Schools officials will convene with most of the fiscal court in order to discuss budgetary items for the 2025-26 campaign and beyond.
— Humphries said weather has hampered construction of the new Trigg County Recreation Complex, but it continues to move forward. And a Building & Grounds meeting will soon be set for the decision-making process about a new Trigg County Rescue Building, including a review of architectural drawings.
