LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — While federal officials have kept their eyes on the storm-damaged areas of last month, so have legislators at both the state and national level.

U.S. Senator Rand Paul showed his concern in person, touring areas of Laurel County Tuesday morning with Laurel County Judge Executive David Westerfield, Magistrate Jeff Book and London Mayor Troy Rudder.

Paul praised the cleanup efforts at the local level, citing the “millions and millions of tons of debris” that had been cleared and disposed of during the past month’s recovery efforts.

Some areas on Hawk Creek Road in the western section of the county and a widespread area in the East Bernstadt area sustained massive damage from the storms and resulted in the deaths of six people.

The scattered insulation, roofing shingles, splintered wood, furniture and papers that once depicted the path of the storm are gone — all through the efforts of volunteers and first responders who came to lend a hand in the aftermath of the disaster.

“You rarely see so much damage. There were seven areas (in Kentucky) that were pretty significantly hit,” Paul said. “You hear about the people who pulled an ambulance across a muddy field with a tractor because you couldn’t get through the roads. It shows the humanitarian spirit of our country.”

Paul also praised the efforts of two churches in the East Bernstadt community where the storm hit hardest.

“There were churches that served thousands and thousands of meals to the victims and the workers,” he said. “They opened their doors 24 hours a day to help out.”

Though recovery and cleanup efforts have excelled since the destruction, many families are still struggling emotionally and financially to repair and/or replace their homes.

“They still  need money to get into a house again,” Paul said.

Though FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) has visited the area and offered assistance to many of the storm victims, others without homeowners or renter’s insurance who must literally start their lives over again. Paul, who has kept a watchful eye on the area since the storm struck, realizes the unified sense of community and ongoing efforts of family and friends marks the spirit of survival. He praised the strong sense of community in the storm-ravaged areas, crediting the American spirit for its compassion in times of need.

He also mentioned the donation from the Taiwan government to the victims of the disaster.

“Look at what we do for other counties. When the earthquake struck Haiti a couple of years ago, our country sent supplies and money to help. In fact, our country was the number one contributor to their recovery, more than any other country,” Paul said. “Just recently the Taiwan government sent money to help the tornado victims here.”

Paul is just one of the Washington D.C. representatives who have monitored actions across Kentucky following the storm. Paul’s Washington counterpart, long-time U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell is scheduled to tour the area on Saturday and survey the damage and recovery efforts.



njohnson@sentinel-echo.com