The mayor of Beattyville estimates about 70% of businesses affected by record flooding are back operating. Scott Jackson said support from the Appalachian Relief organization helped a great deal.
Still, he noted, retailers were feeling losses prior to the March rains.
“Business was down anyway during the pandemic. With the flood coming, the resources, the money wasn’t all that great,” said Jackson.
Jackson said Federal Emergency Management Agency grant funds go only to residents.
He said a trailer park initially housed 16 flood impacted families. Some have moved back to their homes, others to public housing,
Jackson added the Red Cross provided housing assistance. The mayor said both in-state and out-of-state groups helped greatly with cleanup and recovery.
The life-long resident of Beattyville said there may be disagreements about politics and religion but, he added, in a time of need you see people, “elbow to elbow helping each other out.”
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