Eastern Kentucky disaster affects multiple counties and communities

Electric cooperatives in Eastern Kentucky are doing their part to help their neighbors affected by devastating flooding that began on July 26 and continues to take its toll on a wide swath of the commonwealth.

Though power outages persist in Southeastern Kentucky, all but a handful of the outages are tied to investor-owned utilities and not electric cooperatives. Kentucky co-ops employees, relatives and board members have been affected by the disaster.

Co-ops from across Kentucky and the country have inquired of how and where to help.
Here is a sample of efforts aligned with Kentucky co-ops. We will update this list as we confirm co-op and local efforts.
Big Sandy RECC is inviting donors to drop off items at its office in Paintsville:

504 11th St, Paintsville, KY 41240

The co-op will see that these items are given to families in need. The co-op office is open 7:00am – 5:30pm Monday-Thursday. Please let co-op staff know at the drive-thru that you have items to donate and they can help unload them. “Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors that have been devastated with the flooding in our area,” the co-op posted on its Facebook page. “No gift is too small.”

Licking Valley RECC has delivered supplies and encourages more donations in hard-hit Breathitt County:

First Church of God – 1772 Hwy Ky 30

Items requested by relief workers include mops, buckets, manual can openers, Clorox, baby diapers, totes, rubber gloves, brooms, flash lights, toilet paper, trash bags, baby wipes, plastic silverware, paper plates and anything camping such as tents.

Jackson Energy is collecting donations for their neighbors in Clay, Owsley and Lee counties. Items can be dropped off at one of the co-op offices in London, McKee, Manchester or Beattyville by August 8 – or you are welcome to send items directly to:
Jackson Energy Cooperative
115 Jackson Energy Lane
McKee, KY 40447
The most requested items are: cleaning supplies, toothpaste and toothbrushes, brooms and mops, toiletries, toilet paper, batteries, trash bags, non-perishable food, baby items, clothing and shoes, buckets, gloves and shovels. Once the items are collected, Jackson Energy will reach out to local agencies to see that the items are given to families in need.

Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, the statewide association of co-ops, is thinking of and praying for everyone affected by the devastating flooding.
Electric cooperative employees who have suffered any losses can receive immediate assistance from the Kentucky Rural Electric Disaster Fund.

.If a cooperative would like to make a contribution it can be sent to:
Kentucky Rural Electric Disaster Fund
1630 Lyndon Farm Ct., Ste. 200
Louisville, KY 40223