Gov. Beshear Announces Purchase of Land, Celebrates Road Construction Project for Knott County High-Ground Community

More than 100 acres purchased, crews mobilized to construct roads and install drainage at site

LEBURN, Ky. (July 26, 2024) - As the two-year anniversary of flooding that devastated parts of Eastern Kentucky approaches, Gov. Andy Beshear today announced that the state has purchased more than 100 acres for the Chestnut Ridge high-ground community in Knott County. The state has also secured a right-of-way donation that opens the door to completing a full-access road to the site.

The property will provide nearly 150 safe, secure homes for residents affected by the July 2022 floods and is a vital part of Team Kentucky's commitment to ongoing recovery efforts in Eastern Kentucky.

Gov. Beshear, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and state and local officials joined together today for a site visit to celebrate the full-scale road-building operations now underway that will provide housing contractors and future residents access to the community.

While in Knott County, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor also stopped at Hindman City Hall to pay their respects during a moment of silence at a memorial erected last summer in remembrance of those Knott Countians who died in the flooding.

"Two years after the devastating floods, we continue to move forward, together," Gov. Beshear said. "We're restoring not just homes but hope in our communities. This journey of recovery has shown the true spirit of Team Kentucky - united, resilient and determined. This road project will literally pave the way to a brighter tomorrow, and a stronger, safer community."

"Every Kentuckian deserves a safe place they can call home. We are keeping our promise to restore what Knott County lost in the disastrous flooding of 2022," said Lt. Gov. Coleman. "This project, complete with housing, road improvements and infrastructure, will lift up the entire region."

The Chestnut Ridge site includes new homes on property near the Knott County Sportsplex, northeast of Hindman. It's one of seven high-ground community sites in Eastern Kentucky, which include Olive Branch in Knott County, Skyview in Perry County, Grand View and The Cottages at Thompson Branch in Letcher County, and New Hope Estates and Wayland in Floyd County.

At Chestnut Ridge, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded a $2 million contract to Bush and Burchett Inc. in April for the first phase of a project to develop and construct a half-mile access road to the housing site. Clearing operations began recently and progressed to roadway excavation earlier this month. Storm pipe installations, the addition of sidewalks and curbs, and asphalt paving operations will follow. This first phase of the road project should be completed this fall.

During construction, motorists can expect increased traffic due to trucks and equipment entering and exiting Kentucky Hwy. 80 near the construction site. For safety reasons, no one should move or pass barricades or enter the construction site work zone.

As construction progresses, the Beshear administration will provide updates to ensure the community is informed of developments and any potential impact on local traffic.

The Chestnut Ridge project exemplifies the collaborative effort between state and local authorities to rebuild and revitalize the region. Once completed, the new homes will provide much-needed stability and security for families who have endured significant hardship.

Visit To Mark Two-Year Anniversary of Eastern Kentucky Flooding
The Governor provided an update on Thursday regarding recovery and rebuilding efforts in Eastern Kentucky as we approach the two-year anniversary of the devastating floods. Progress includes:

• FEMA has approved Individual Assistance for 8,775 survivors, totaling more than $110.5 million under the Individual and Households Program.
• FEMA has provided over $84.7 million to acquire over 500 homes and help families move out of flood prone areas in five counties.
• 138 bridges have been either repaired or replaced.
• $297 million has been secured in federal disaster recovery funds to help areas rebuild.
• The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund has raised more than $13.4 million from over 41,500 donors. The fund paid the funeral expenses of the Kentuckians we lost, provided immediate relief payments directly to individuals who suffered property damage and is now being used to rebuild and repair homes with nonprofit partners.
• The Governor has announced seven high-ground communities in four counties that will bring over 500 new homes to the area.

Gov. Beshear and Lt. Gov. Coleman are traveling to Breathitt, Floyd and Perry counties today, with two stops in Knott County, at Leburn and Hindman, to observe progress at new high-ground communities, note improvements to infrastructure, announce new funding and an additional project to build more homes, and mourn those Kentuckians lost in the devastating flooding that occurred two years ago.

Earlier today in Wayland, in Floyd County, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor joined Appalachia Service Project to celebrate new homes and new beginnings for 11 families of flood survivors and announced that more new homes are on the way. Click here to learn more about the visit and progress being made at new high-ground communities in Eastern Kentucky.

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Editor's Note: Click here for a photo of road construction activities at Chestnut Ridge. Photos are also available from the events at Chestnut Ridge and Hindman.

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