More than two years after the deadly floods that hit eastern Kentucky in 2022, people are still struggling. Although homes are being moved and rebuilt, housing continues to be an issue throughout the region.
Key Douthitt is the medical director for UK Healthcare's North Fork Valley Clinic in Hazard. He is also the housing chair for the Breathitt County Long Term Recovery committee.
He said it is important to get people into safer areas.
“If we are putting you back in the same place that got flooded, that's not recovery. That's just punting it down the road until the next disaster. What we want to provide is housing that is safe and out of the flood plain.”
He said in his role as a medical director, Douthitt said he sees many conditions in the area that are made worse by the added stress of securing a safe home.
He said long time exposure to stress takes a toll on people.
“There's both manifestations from that stress that result in increased blood pressure, increased cortisol levels that result in diabetes control being poor, there's all these things that come along with those stress levels. You have the fact that you're not prioritizing your mental or physical health.”
Douthitt said he still sees cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among patients. He says this is particular noticeable in younger people and whenever the weather shows signs of storming or raining.
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