Gov. Beshear Dedicates New Home in Hopkins County for Tornado Survivors

DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local leaders from the Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders (FCDR) to hand over keys to a new home for tornado survivors that was funded in part by $75,000 from the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund.

“What an incredible day in my dad’s hometown of Dawson Springs, handing over keys to Zackory, Eliza and their amazing kids as they step into their new forever home,” Gov. Beshear said. “Thank you to every donor who contributed to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. Your generosity is helping families rebuild, feel safe again and create new memories together.”

Over 125 home building projects are completed, under construction or approved to start construction with the support of nearly $8 million from the fund. In total, $21.6 million has been committed from the fund to build or significantly repair 300 homes. The Governor thanked nonprofit building partners, including the Hope Initiative, Habitat for Humanity, Homes & Hope for Kentucky, FCDR, the Mayfield/Graves Fuller Center for Housing and the Mayfield/Graves Long-Term Recovery Group.

“On Dec. 10, 2021, our lives and the lives of many other families around here were changed forever,” homeowners Zackory Russell and Eliza Watts said. “We are so grateful for the support of the many volunteers, nonprofits and our Governor, who have helped us to get back to our home, sweet home.”

The FCDR team added, “Gov. Beshear’s unwavering support for the survivors of the December 2021 tornadoes has been essential to the progress we’ve achieved. The financial support from the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund has been essential, but more important has been his ‘boots on the ground’ support, so the public knows that we’re not done yet.”

FCDR President Bart Tucker said, “I’ve been leading disaster rebuilding efforts for 18 years in many different states, and Gov. Beshear’s unwavering support is the strongest I’ve seen from any governor’s office.”

FEMA has provided almost $16 million in grants for 2,300 homeowners and renters in the 16 counties designated for Individual Assistance. Those dollars have helped with home repairs, rental assistance and replacing essential items. That includes more than 161 homeowners and renters (72 owners, 89 renters) in Hopkins County alone, who have been approved for more than $8.6 million in federal grants.

Launched just days after the tornadoes in December 2021, the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund has raised over $52 million with donations from over 150,000 individuals and businesses. The money raised helped pay funeral expenses for the families of the deceased and provided assistance to survivors as well as local farmers. The remaining funds will be used to build houses. For more information and to donate, click here.

In April 2022, through nonpartisan work with the General Assembly, Gov. Beshear also established the $120 million Western Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies, or SAFE, Fund to assist with tornado recovery.