Lawmakers convene to assist flood-damaged eastern Kentucky

WUKY | By Josh James,

Published August 25, 2022 at 7:14 AM EDT

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Kentucky state Sens. Stephen West, left, and Ralph Alvarado chat on the opening day of a special legislative session on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, in Frankfort, Ky. Lawmakers were called into session by Gov. Andy Beshear to take up legislation providing state assistance for flood-ravaged eastern Kentucky. (AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner)

Kentucky lawmakers have taken up a state assistance package that would pump nearly $213 million into flood-ravaged Appalachian communities. It's seen as an initial installment to help in the mammoth rebuilding still ahead. Josh James has more on the story.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and top Republican lawmakers promoted the relief package during a special legislative session that started Wednesday and is expected to last until Friday. Late last month, floodwaters destroyed homes and businesses in parts of eastern Kentucky and caused significant damage to schools, roads, bridges and water systems. The disaster caused at least 39 deaths.