In Louisville, Ken, the Ohio River is predicted to be at the peak soon, marking one of the top 10 worst floods in the city’s recorded history. USA TODAY I said.
Kentucky alone has reported five storm-related deaths, more than 140 water rescues, and thousands of blackouts. As of Wednesday, 22 deaths had been recorded in six states, according to some reports.
Jen Swendiman, President Northern Kentucky Real Estate Agents Associationspoke to Housingwire about the dire circumstances her clients are facing and the efforts she has made from the real estate industry to provide assistance.
“These are 100-year floods that seem to be happening more frequently than 100 years now,” she said. “So, with that understanding, there are things that need to be changed from a flood insurance and flood map perspective.
“We are working nationwide to advocate for policies that may support consumers in the long term during these events, and of course we are maintaining flood insurance and its programs. The location of floods is also changing and we need to consider them.”
The governor says the worst hasn’t come yet
Despite improvements to the capital of Kentucky’s Frankfort, Gov. Andy Besher warned that the crisis is not over.
He said flooding could worsen in some areas, particularly near Henderson and Owensboro.
“In our area, northern Kentucky (water) is slowly retreating, and we can see the water dropping,” Swendiman said. “But further along the west of the state, it doesn’t climb on another day. We’ve seen the full extent of the wet basement to a complete flood.
In Frankfort, the Kentucky River rose to 48.14 feet on Monday, just inches below its record high 17 feet above the flood stage. The streets were completely submerged and the house was wrapped in porches with floods.
The historic Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest and most continuously operating bourbon distillery in the United States, was forced to close the door due to the high water.
“From a local, state and national level association perspective, one of the things we do is encourage our members to reach out to our clients,” says Swendiman. “Find out what’s going on, find what you need, and work with this local network in the state to find the most challenging places where you can adjust your resources, such as food, water, blankets, and more over the long term, from almost a period of time.
“It can also set up temporary housing opportunities, help people, what they need, and get it for them.
In February, Kentucky dealt with another round of widespread flooding that led to more than 20 deaths in the state.
How to help
Swendiman is National Association of Realtors Accessible Real Estate Agent Relief Foundation here Alternatively, text from CentralRrf25 to 71777.
Services provided include up to $1,000 to assist you in mortgages, rents and immediate evacuation in the event of a disaster.
“You don’t have to be a real estate agent to donate,” Swendiman said. “The (Realtor Relief Foundation) actually gives Kentucky federal residents $1.8 million over the past four years and helps to alleviate the return to your feet after these flood disasters we’ve had.”
Several predictions point to another storm system that comes to the area.
Starting Thursday, nearly 30 million residents in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia will be under threat from storms, including major hail, wind damage and even heavy rain.
“We see many different types of disasters,” Swendiman said. “We have fires in California and elsewhere too. We always think of the West with things like that, but in reality, the East Coast has had some fires this year. Then there have been hurricanes. It’s not just the loss of buildings. It’s literally a loss of land.
“How do we say, “Not only are you no longer on a mortgage home, but you’re not even there anymore? How do we alleviate it when there’s nothing left?”
