By KAREN JONES CODY
Almost two weeks have passed since that terrible stormy day, and the shock may be wearing off for Kentuckians whose lives were changed forever by tornadoes on March 2, 2012 . . . but recovery is just beginning, and it will take a long time. Twenty-three funerals have been held for victims in storm-ravaged counties, and some of the injured are still hospitalized. Hundreds of people are homeless.
Twenty-one counties have now been approved by the federal government for indi- vidual disaster assistance. This can come in the form of temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property and other programs to help residents and business owners recover from the disaster. FEMA representatives are assessing damages, and recovery cen- ters are being set up in affected areas.
The initial outpouring of assistance from neighbors both in and outside Kentucky included donations of practical things like food and cleaning supplies. Many Knott Countians offered their help — through churches, civic groups, county government and individual efforts.
Knott County Homeland Security/Emergency Management Director Greg Mullins told the Times the county took a load of donated items to Martin County last Friday. “They hadn’t received as much na- tional attention as some of the other communities; we chose to go there because we thought that being kind of forgotten left them a little more needy,” he said.
Mullins related that officials from state Emergency Management “have told us not to encourage donations of items at this point; some communities have no place to store them and don’t have time to organize things. We’ve been advised right now that the best way to help is through cash donations to relief funds.”
Two major efforts have already raised a substantial amount of money. According to Knott Judge-Executive Randy Thompson, “practically all the radio stations in Eastern Kentucky got together for a fundraiser last Wednesday, and in four hours, almost $200,000 was raised for tornado victims.” …
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