WHITESBURG, KY – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) invited Col. John Moran, the new Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Louisville District, to help address emergency flood control with local and state leaders in Letcher County on Wednesday. 

“Fleming-Neon flooded twice in 24 hours last week, as debris and sediment continue to block our waterways and flood our communities. It isn’t just a problem in Letcher County; we need solutions to clean out streams all across our Appalachian region and particularly along the Kentucky River,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “Col. Moran and two engineers listened to the challenges our local leaders face with costs and burdensome regulations at both state and federal levels. We discussed potential solutions for local officials when an emergency is declared, so we still have work to do.” 

“We’re not proposing to dredge the whole North Fork, but if we work a mile of the North Fork as it comes into Neon, we fix 75% of the problems downstream,” said Terry Adams, Letcher County Judge Executive. “We need to remove debris from our streams and it’s going to have to be a combined effort. We can’t afford to rebuild and rebuild and rebuild.”

The Mayors of Fleming-Neon, Jenkins and Whitesburg also shared their concerns with persistent flash flooding, relief from regulations to help protect residents, and delayed funding from FEMA. State Senator Scott Madon and State Rep. Mitch Whitaker also shared details about flooding in the region, and proposed state legislation that could help with hazard mitigation and other flood recovery efforts. 

The Letcher County Planning Commission and Missy Matthews, President of Childers Oil and Double Kwik, hosted the meeting at the Double Kwik Headquarters in Whitesburg, which was recently renovated after being flooded in July 2022. Matthews and local officials with the East Kentucky Heritage Foundation presented an update on the Raven Rock Resort and the Thunder Mountain Shooting Reserve, two major projects that will boost the tourism economy in our region. 

“I want everyone to love Eastern Kentucky as much as I do,” said Matthews. “We are investing in reclaimed mine lands and repurposing it to generate new jobs and revitalize our economy.” 

Congressman Rogers also provided a brief update on the proposed Letcher County Federal Prison that is slated to be built in Roxana, creating over 300 jobs in the region. 

“I am receiving monthly updates from the Bureau of Prisons about progress on the proposed construction site, including the Army Corps’ geotechnical study, and we are moving forward,” said Congressman Rogers. “Completion of the new water project at Roxana will not only provide water for the prison but is already sending clean water to more than 70 homes that were relying on wells. The work to prepare for the prison has already improved this county.”

To see more photos from the meeting, visit Congressman Rogers' Facebook page @CongressmanHalRogers.

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media. 

Col. Moran & Congressman Rogers meet with state and local leaders in Whitesburg, KY

Congressman Rogers speaks to state and local leaders about flood control & economic development

Letcher County Judge Executive Terry Adams speaks to Army Corps Engineers about flood prevention needs

Fleming-Neon Mayor Rick Burke speaks to Army Corps Engineers about stream sediment and debris causing more flood damage