BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. — For the second time in nearly eight months, President Joe Biden flew into Kentucky to survey damage from a natural disaster: First in the tornado-ravaged areas of western Kentucky in December, and then on Monday, right in the heart of several eastern Kentucky counties decimated by flooding.
Drivers in Jackson, Kentucky, watched from afar Monday, as President Biden’s motorcade arrived at Marie Roberts Elementary School – a designated FEMA state disaster recovery center. There, he was briefed on the damage done to the area.
“I just hope that the President comes in, and he can actually bring the assistance that we really need because there are a lot of families really hurting in this,” said Michael Shepherd, one of several drivers turned away from the temporarily closed Kentucky Highway 15 where Biden and his security detail came through.
Eight of the 37 confirmed deaths came within Breathitt County. Numerous survivors have suffered damage to their homes, many lost completely. Gov. Andy Beshear said one more person has been presumed dead, bringing the presumed total up to 38.
“The fact that he took time to come to Kentucky and help us, it means a lot,” said Rebecca McIntosh, who lives in Jackson.
McIntosh’s home was destroyed by flooding. She described when she and her son watched the water seep into their home, where they grabbed everything they could and sat on their bed.
Still, she says they got lucky.
“Just thank God that you’re still here because you can always replace your home,” she said. “We just have to start over.”
But that process for relief assistance can take some time to materialize. McIntosh has applied for it all, including through FEMA.
On Monday though, she and others found the non-profit Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, a resource to help in the meantime. The agency has multiple stations set up across eastern Kentucky, including in the heart of Jackson, offering financial help for those in need.
“These are our neighbors, these are people we go to school with, people we work with every single day,” said Stacie Fugate, who said they accepted more than 50 applications just on Monday.
The foundation isn’t requiring official ID, which many lost in the elevated waters.
Within days of receiving applications, Fugate said they’ve already given out more than 300 checks of $250 or more to those suffering, including $50 extra for each child.
“We know it’s not a lot of money, and it’s not going to change anyone’s world currently, but it lets them think about the next 24 hours,” Fugate said.
The foundation expects to reach thousands more people in the weeks to come, with the next payments expected on August 17 – where folks can either go pick them up or have them mailed out.
Meanwhile, more rain is in the forecast this week, causing concern.
“Anytime [we see] rain, or just hearing rain, it’s kind of like PTSD. It wakes us up at night,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd and other neighbors said they’re praying, while waiting on as much financial aid to come in as possible.
RELATED: Western Kentucky reflects on past 8 months of recovery; 'We've got a long road ahead of us'
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.