The recent news that President Donald Trump approved disaster declarations for Kentucky will have an important impact on Christian County and its communities.
Kentucky will receive $28.9 million to address damages from the April flooding that dumped nearly 14 inches of rain in Hopkinsville during the first six days of that month.
Judge-executive Jerry Gilliam says the damage was extensive and didn’t come from what officials would call a normal weather event.
click to download audioGilliam says some of the FEMA reimbursements will help offset the expenses incurred in Oak Grove and Hopkinsville.
click to download audioGilliam also says the four watershed lakes outside of Hopkinsville also suffered some damage.
click to download audioAccording to the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority, Lake Tandy was built in 1907, with Lake Morris completed in 1929 by damming up part of the Little River.
The devastating flooding in 1937 and 1957 led to the creation of Lake Blythe in 1962 and Lake Boxley in 1963.
All together, those four watershed lakes hold over 1.6 billion gallons of water to help keep the Little River under control north of the city.
click to download audioAlso included in the disaster declaration for Kentucky was $27 million earmarked for recovery from the May tornadoes.
