EKB News

As hundreds of people in eastern Kentucky rely on disaster relief supplies, the East Kentucky Expo Center is serving as a regional distribution center of water, food and cleaning supplies. Expo Center employees and volunteers are working with the National Guard and Red Cross to distribute supplies to Floyd, Breathitt, Owsley, Lee and Pike counties, and officials say the center will be used as long as it is needed.

At the request of Attorney General Jack Conway, a restraining order has been issued to stop Nevada-based telemarketing firms from making alleged deceptive auto warranty calls in the state of Kentucky. Conway filed a consumer protection lawsuit against SMV Inc., Fortress Secured Inc. and their principal owner, Mike Bruce Moneymaker, for allegedly making the calls to Kentuckians on the "Do Not Call" list. To report a "No Call" violation, call the Consumer Protection Division at (866) 877-7867 and request a complaint form or file online at www.nocall.ky.gov.

Eighty-one year old Ellis Wells of Corbin died Friday afternoon when the vehicle he was driving westbound on KY 312, about 8 miles south of London, ran off the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned, ejecting him from the vehicle.

A former member of the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter board, Jennifer Adkins, has been charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty and 3 counts of endangering a minor. Authorities say they found 13 dogs and a cat inside her home in Corbin and 7 dogs in cages and a goat outside, and both locations filled with urine and feces. Adkins' daughters, ages 17, 15 and 12, were removed from the home.

Kentucky State Police are investigating human remains found in a remote area off Indian Creek Road, just south of Gray, in Knox County. The remains were found Friday in an area where police were searching for the body of Jeremy Johnson. The remains were sent to the State Crime Lab in Frankfort for further examination. Johnson has been missing since June 10, 2008 when he was last seen at Angels and Wings Sports Bar in Corbin.

Thursday (today) the federal trial came to an abrupt end for retired Mingo County school bus driver Lorene Canterbury when she pleaded guilty to dealing more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. She admitted to distributing large amounts of cocaine to other drug dealers in West Virginia and Kentucky and to sending proceeds to her supplier in Chicago. Canterbury faces a possible life sentence with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years when sentenced August 6th.

Governor Steve Beshear has pledged the full help of the state to assist those attempting to clean up and rebuild after the weekend's devastating floods, saying nothing will stand in the way of the state stepping up to do everything it can to help the people. After touring eastern Kentucky Tuesday, he filed the state's application on Wednesday, which, if granted, will activate federal programs to assist in the recovery effort. He says, although assessments aren't all in, there's enough to go ahead with paperwork, but the application probably will be amended a few times as assessments become more specific.

Due to major flood damage, Mingo County School Superintendent Dwight Dials says it's uncertain if students at Gilbert Elementary and Gilbert High School will be able to finish the term there. He says it will take 10 to 12 days to clean up the schools, and students will return to them, but it's not known if they will be able to return before school is out for the summer. A request has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Education for a waiver for the WESTEST assessment tests Mingo County students take annually.

FOOD...Bread of Life Foundation---639-9296
Christian Appalachian Project---789-9791
Christian Life Fellowship Home Mission Outreach---689-2132; 478-5433
Community Closet---754-5225
Freeda Harris Baptist Center---754-7414
God's Helpers---639-9771
HOPE of Pikeville---432-4673: 835-7883: 835-4539
Jubilee Christian Assembly---437-0292
Operation Eat---639-9463: 437-0292
Phelps Helping Hands---456-7433: 456-3491: 456-3182
Pleasant Valley Community Church---478-4913
Thankful Hearts Food Pantry---437-6221
Two Hands for Christ---456-9901

CLOTHING...Christian Appalachian Project---789-9791
Christian Life Fellowship Home Mission Outreach---639-2132: 478-5433
Freeda Harris Captist Center---754-7414
God's Helpers---639-9771
Jubilee Christian Assembly---437-0292
Operation Eat---639-9463: 437-0292
Phelps Helping Hands---456-7433: 456-3491: 456-3182
Pleasant Velley Community Church---478-4913
Two Hands for Christ---456-9901
United Helping Hands of Pikeville---432-1349

HOUSING...Pike County Housing Authority---432-4178
Housing Authority of Pikeville---432-8124
WestCare Kentucky Emergency Homeless Shelter---432-9442

Donations of furniture for flod victims may be given to Thakful Hearts Food Pantry, 648 Adams Road, Pikeville KY 41501, 437-9221.

Monetary donations to help flood may be given to the Big Sandy Area Red Cross, 113 South Central Avenue, Prestonsburg, KY 41653, (606( 886-8330.

Tuesday Kanawha County Commissioners voted to send resources to Mingo County to aid with flood cleanup. 911 dispatchers, sheriff's deputies and paramedics will relieve those who've become tired during the flood recovery. The commission voted to send 100 workers over the next month.

Following a four month undercover investigation by Operation UNITE, fourteen people suspected of illegally trafficking prescription drugs have been indicted by a Knott County grand jury. The suspects were the targets of a roundup by law enforcement officials Tuesday morning in which Kentucky State Police, the Knott County Sheriff's Office and UNITE detectives participated. During the investigation, a variety of controlled narcotics, including OxyContin. Methadone, Xanax, Lortab and a small amount of cocaine were purchased.

It will take days for damage totals to be fully assessed, and Buddy Rogers, spokesman for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, says it's too early to provide a damage estimate related to the weekend flooding. In Pike County, about 1,700 homes were damaged by flooding and mudslides. Assessments must be completed before federal disaster declarations can be sought. Governor Steve Beshear says extensive damage occurred in 15 counties and 4 cities over the weekend, and he expects to seek a federal declaration in the near future. He visited storm damaged areas of central and eastern Kentucky Tuesday to assess recovery efforts.

Governor Steve Beshear was in three mountain counties Tuesday, making stops in Floyd, Perry and Pike counties. He characterized the visits as "getting on the ground" to take a closer look at the destruction caused by the Mother's Day weekend storms. We caught up with him and got his impression of what he had seen. The governor compared this year's mountain flooding to the flood of 1977...frequently used as the benchmark of damaging floods in the mountains. Commonwealth resources have been mobilized to help local governments and individuals, and Beshear has pledged the full help of the state to assist those attempting to clean up and rebuild. He now has a much better feel for the devastation caused by last weekend's flooding and says nothing will stand in the way of the state stepping up to do everything it can to help the people.

We're not finished with the terrible flood suffered this past weekend---cleanup, rebuilding, basic life needs and a positive attitude will all be a part of our recovery. While talking with the governor yesterday, we noted that thankfully there was no loss of life connected with the flooding in eastern Kentucky. The governor confirmed this fact and pointed out that eastern Kentucky was much more fortunate, in that regard, than two Madison County citizens who died in a weather related tornado. Governor Beshear said he was looking forward to "hitting the ground" in Pike, Floyd and Perry counties today (Tuesday) to view first-hand the devastation wrought by the Mother's Day weekend flood.

Governor Joe Manchin and U.S. Representative Nick Rahall, along with emergency management officials, toured flood-stricken areas of southern West Virginia Sunday afternoon. Manchin spoke to residents who gathered at Gilbert High School and responded by saying the damage was as bad as he'd seen anywhere and that flash floods and rain hit with tremendous force and devastation. He says officials will continue to work as expediently as possible to get lives of citizens back to normal. Manchin ordered the activation of about 300 National Guard members to assist emergency crews and help county officials assess damage and coordinate military support. Emergency crews are working with local officials to address recovery issues.

Shelters ( Water and Cleaning Supplies )

Matewan Town Hall 304-475-4092 , 304-475-4092

Varney Community

Larry Joe Harless Center 304- 235-2500
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Connolly Memorial Baptist will feed from noon until 5 pm.
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If you need assistance including being trapped at your home call 911
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Tri River Transit to provide free service for people for doctor appointments , filling prescriptions and grocery shopping call 304-475-3807 / 877-212-0815
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For temporary housing Mingo County Housing Authority 304-475-4663
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All coal impoundments in Mingo County have been inspected and are safe.

Governor Joe Manchin has activated 300 National Guard members to assist with flood recovery efforts across southern West Virginia. A staging area has been set up at the National Guard Armory in Williamson to pass out water and cleaning supplies while helping assess damages. Shelters are set up in Mingo County at the Delbarton, Gilbert, Matewan and Williamson volunteer fire departments. Morgantown Red Cross officials are assisting the Mingo County Red Cross, and workers in the Central West Virginia Chapter are donating emergency supplies. A shelter has been set up at the Freedom Gospel Church in Gilbert. Bulk distribution of food, water, bleach and other cleaning supplies will be distributed at the Larry Joe Harless Community Center. A Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle is distributing Heater Meals throughout neighborhoods in Gilbert and have ordered 6,000 more to be distributed in Mingo County. Eight Red Cross Disaster Assessment teams are surveying damage in the Gilbert vicinity.

The Pike County Animal Shelter will be closed until further notice. The animal shelter has experienced significant damage from a mudslide , and cleanup will take one to two weeks. All animals have been evacuated and none will be accepted until cleanup is completed. The supply building was completely destroyed and supplies will be needed for re-opening. Cat, dog, kitten and puppy food, cat litter , collars, leashes and towel donations can be made by dropping them off at the north or south Mayo Autobahn, Maggards Furniture, Pike Automotive or Mountain Furniture. Thanks to everyone who brought a foster animal into your home. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Once again, if you have a scheduled appointment to bring animals to the shelter, please do not bring them until clean up is completed. Listen to the stations of East Kentucky Broadcasting for a re-opening date.

Shelters


Matewan City Hall

Larry Joe Harless Community Center ( two warm meals per day )

Varney Community Center

Old Burch High

Freedom Full Church at Horsepen Mtn


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Water Distribution and Cleaning Supplies

Joe Evans Auto at Delbarton. Outside water line must bring containers. Free water


Ben Creek Park

Beech Creek VFD

Gilbert VFD

Matewan City Hall

Varney Community Center

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Churches Serving hot meals

Connolly Memorial noon

Horsepen Baptist Church 1 pm

Brothers Fork United Church noon
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contact numbers for assistance

911

304-664-3905

304-235-8550

304-426-4092

304-426-4522


If you would like to volunteer 304-235-8551


National Guard Presence throughout county.

Shelter at Graceway Methodist at Langley


For water go to Floyd County Road Department at Maher Creek. 478 - 1001 , 452 -1001


For information contact 886- 0926

Information for Pike County


Shelters

Belfry High School

Pike Central

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Water Distribution Centers

Island Creek VFD

Hurricane Creek VFD

Johns Creek VFD

Big Creek VFD

Pike Central High School

Belfry Courthouse

Kimper VFD

Phelps VFD

Hatfield VFD

Upper Pond Creek VFD

Island VFD
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Contacts

Belfry Courthouse 353-9604 ext 4

Belfry VFD 353-8026

Sheriff 353-6260

Judge Executive 432 - 6247

Report Damage 432-0210 , 437 - 4126 , 432 - 6245 . 437 - 2863

Boil Water Advisory for all Mountain Water District Customers until further notice.

Between 12,000 to 15,000 MWD customers are without water. Estimated water to be on between 2 to 4 days.
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Residents are urged to leave debris and damaged items by road. Solid Waste will pick it up. Bigger items need to contact local solid waste department

Phelps 456-7224

Belfry 353 - 1910

Belcher 754 - 5091

Robinson Creek 639 - 4611

Pikeville 432 - 6245

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Governor Beshear will tour area Tuesday

Seven coal miners who were trapped inside the Mountaineer Alma A Mine in Gilbert of Mingo County since entering for the third shift at 10:00 P.M. Friday night walked out of the mine safely just before 6:00 A.M. Sunday morning. A pump malfunction had caused a dip in the man-trip road to fill with water. The company pumped water all day Saturday.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Huntington, which began damage reduction operations Friday night, two to six inches of rain fell throughout the Guyandotte and Big Sandy basins, while several areas had 4 inches in less than 24 hours. Blocked roads and mudslides made it difficult for the American Red Cross to find shelter. A National Weather Service warning of Tug Fork River flooding at Williamson and Kermit and the Guyandotte River in Logan prompted Williamson officials to sound the siren and close the flood gates after 2:00 P.M. Saturday.

Saturday Governor Joe Manchin declared a state of emergency in Mingo, Boone, Logan, McDowell, Raleigh and Wyoming counties, with Mingo reported to be the worst hit, while heavy rains fell around Williamson. Beginning at 2:00 A.M., more than 400 Mingo County families were evacuated. Emergency Management crews evacuated people in several areas, including North Matewan, Delbarton, Gilbert, Magnolia Gardens, Pigeon Creek and Mate Creek. Manchin ordered the implementation of the state's Emergency Operations Plan and activation of the state's Emergency Operations Center. He also dispatched the West Virginia National Guard and the Department of Highways to Gilbert, where 150 to 200 families were flood bound along Route 52 in Mingo and McDowell counties. Emergency Services reported mobile homes being taken off their foundations. In Wyoming County, the Hanover area, which is located near the Mingo County line, suffered great damage when Little Huff Creek exceeded its banks Saturday morning. Reaching the area was delayed because Route 97 at Baileysville was blocked by a mudslide. The Red Cross set up a shelter at the Open Door Church in Rhodell of Raleigh County. Applachian Power reported 10,000 customers remained without power Saturday night.

Floyd County was among the hardest hit areas during this weekend flooding, with Martin and Prestonsburg seeing major flooding. One family in Martin was waiting on high ground Friday night for rescue after narrowly escaping being swept away in their mobile home. Several roads were covered with water, causing some ambulances to be stuck. Helicopters were not an option due to the low cloud deck and storms. According to "I-Flows," one creek in southern Floyd County raised from roughly 3 feet early in the day to 13 feet. Magoffin County was hard hit Saturday as twelve families near Royalton used a boat as their only way of escape. A section of Breathitt County was hit by a cloudburst Friday night, with the worst damage occurring along Highway 30-West, about three miles from Jackson. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed. The courthouse in Belfry was flooded Saturday as motorists attempted to evacuate. The home of Kelly Gannon was teetering on the bank of Pond Creek just outside Belfry after the family, who was awakened by neighbors, escaped just in time. Belfry Middle School had 8 ft. of water in the bottom floor, and the gym next door was damaged. CATS tests, which were about three-fourths finished were flooded.

Following a state of emergency issued by Governor Steve Beshear Saturday afternoon, more than 40 National Guard troops were sent to Madison County while 60 troops conducted door-to-door wellness checks and evacuation missions in Breathitt, Knott, Floyd, Pike and Owsley counties. The state Transportation Department sent engineers to Floyd, Breathitt, Owsley and Pike counties to assess road damage, while the Department of Fish and Wildlife sent boats to Pike County and a few other areas to assist with evacuating residents stranded by high waters.

This weekend Kentucky was a scene beyond belief as a line of storms produced unbelievable winds and flash flooding which plagued parts of the state, including eastern Kentucky. Buddy Rogers, spokesman for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, says at least 11 counties, as well as the city of Richmond, declared their own states of emergency by Saturday morning. Prompted by a National Weather Service confirmation that an EF2 tornado, with winds of 120 mph., had hit Madison County (Kirksville community of Richmond) about 20 miles south-southeast of Lexington Friday, resulting in deaths and destroying dozens of homes, and flooding on Saturday which sent hundreds in eastern Kentucky scrambling for dry land, Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency in central and southeastern Kentucky Saturday afternoon.

Mingo County Shelters

Larry Joe Harless Community Center , Matewan City Hall , Varney Communtiy Center, Old Burch High.

Assistance numbers

911

304-235-8550
304-664-3905
304-426-4092
304-426-4522

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Pike County Shelters

Belfry High

Pike Central Both places have drinking water

drinking water at Blackberry Fire Dept Station # 1

Contact info for assistance

911

432-6247
432-6260
353-9604 ext 4


to report damage in Pike County

432-0210

437-4126

432-6265

437-3863
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Boil water advisory for Mountain Water District customers from Pikeville to Sydney to South of Phelps.



Assistance in Martin County

911

298-3211

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Assistance in Floyd Co

886-0926
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Church Closings

Williamson Church of God

Octavia Freewill Baptist

McAndrews Church of Christ

Owsley Freewill Baptist

Pikeville Freewill Baptist

Louisa Primitive Baptist