Harlan County Emergency Management Director David McGill told members of the Harlan Fiscal Court at a recent meeting he had received confirmation from the state saying the county didn’t meet the threshold of $5.6 million, which would have allowed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist local residents with damages from recent flooding.
“In my communications with NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), which falls under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they’re willing to help Harlan County residents,” said McGill. “The three major roads, which were damaged were Cawood Branch Road, Tway Hollow Road and Dean Court. They will be on the list for repairs at this time. We don’t know the exact dollar amount yet. Hopefully, this will help.”
Harlan County Road Supervisor Marvin Goins said regulations with NRCS say the damages have to be “directly water related eating out from under the road — causing a slide underneath the road — a stream bank problem.”
“The things we have done have been minor compared to what we will have to do,” said Goins. “We’ve got some of the minor problems corrected across the county, but we have major problems. We’ve just been waiting on these reports to come in from different agencies to see how much help we’re going to get.”
Magistrate Bill Moore said he has had complaints about Waste Management refusing to travel on some of the damaged roads in his district because of safety issues.
Magistrate Jonathan Pope inquired about repairs being made to Black Bottom Road in Loyall, to which Goins replied “They are working on a plan for that area.” He said the damage is within 15 feet of CSX property and procedures must be followed before work can begin.
In other action:
*Stacey Madon was appointed as the applicant’s agent designee in the event of a FEMA disaster. Madon will prepare necessary paperwork once a disaster is declared. She will be trained to oversee projects and make sure FEMA and the county stay on course during the projects;
*Harlan County Animal Control Officer Duncan Caldwell requested permission to apply for a $5,000 grant with the Kentucky Cattleman’s Foundation, which will supply food for the Harlan County Animal Shelter’s 2013-2014 budget. Approval was granted;
*The court appointed Donna Pace to the Harlan County Tax Appeal Board with her term ending May 31, 2015. Reflected the Tax Appeals Board will be in session on June 20 and 21. Also approved a motion to pay appeal board members $100 per day as set by the state;
*The court approved to advertise for bids for gravel and delivery, along with tile removal at the Harlan County Courthouse due to safety issues. Also accepted bids from Short Mountain Silica for white beach sand at Martins Fork Lake and Kentucky Mine Supply for metal tile and steel rebar.
Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510, ext. 115, nsizemore@civitasmedia.com
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