20 state-supported travel trailers are being moved into place in tornado-damaged Mayfield. Governor Beshear said 14 families are expected to move in Friday. He said priority will go to families with school-aged children and those living in state park lodges and motels. Jim Gray is the State Transportation Secretary. He said trailer placement will eventually go beyond Mayfield and Dawson Springs. “This is a start and we expect that there will be available trailers also, that will be made available in other counties as well….beyond the 200 or part of the 200?...as part of the initial traunch that initial traunch of 200,” said Gray.
Gray noted representatives with the FEMA, Red Cross, schools, and utility firms will be cross-referencing to try to assure those in the greatest need get trailer access. State officials say the rebuilding is anticipated to take a number of years to complete.
Michael Dossett is the Kentucky Emergency Management Director. He said these families will transition to apartments in time. “As the market rebuilds for rental property, we’ll then move folks out of the temporary trailers into more permanent rental space,” said Dossett.
Dossett anticipates the need for temporary shelter to exceed the initial 200 travel trailers. As far as repair work, Dossett noted there will be, “massive” opportunities to assist with that work this spring. The emergency management director added much of that will come from Habitat, Volunteers Assisting in Disasters, and faith-based groups.
