FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A total of $500,000 in grant money is being made available to Kentucky counties to help with cleaning up flood debris, officials said.
The funds will go toward environmentally responsible disposal of solid waste, according to a statement on Tuesday from Gov. Andy Beshear and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman.
The statement said 12 counties that have received a state of emergency declaration from the governor can apply for up to $50,000 each to cover the cost of collecting, transporting and disposing of municipal solid waste from flooding. The counties eligible to apply for funds include Bell, Clay, Harlan, Hickman, Knox, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, McCreary, Metcalfe, Perry and Whitley.
“I am pleased to make this money available and stand with communities as they recover from recent flooding," Beshear said. “I encourage everyone doing cleanup to be safe and to help the environment by properly disposing of all debris.”
Potential hazards during cleanup include asbestos, mold and toxic chemicals.
“Please use caution when handling different types of debris,” Goodman said. “And be aware that material that is improperly disposed of can have a lasting impact on the environment.”
