LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) – More than one month after a tornado struck Laurel County, many families are still without permanent housing, but London’s acting police chief said recovery efforts are moving forward thanks to strong community support.
“We’re currently in the healing and recovery stage now and starting to try to do the rebuild back from what took place,” said Acting Police Chief Bobby Day.
According to Day, 28 families are still staying in campers at Levi Jackson Wilderness Park, and nearly 20 more are living in motels. To protect the privacy of those at the campground, the city has closed the gate to the park. Families staying there have been given key fobs and can still allow visitors or volunteers to enter.
“There was a lot of people that were coming through that were videoing and taking pictures,” Day said. “We just felt like it was a little bit of a violation of the privacy of the folks that were there. They’ve been through enough.”
Police continue to step up patrols in storm-impacted areas and have also been involved in donation efforts and deliveries. Day said morale within the department has remained high because officers feel they are making a difference. He also said he wants people to remember they are not alone or forgotten.
“We still have a lot of people who want to volunteer, a lot of people who want to help,” Day said. “I know it’s got to be tiring for the folks that have been out there. You know, your own home is destroyed and all those things. But by all means, call us. You can call the police department, you can call any of these stations that are set up, and we’d be more than happy to see that we get somebody out there to help “
He also praised the collaboration between city and county leaders, first responders, and nonprofits, calling it something that will be remembered for years to come.
Donations are still being accepted at multiple locations, including the old Mead Tractor Supply building on South Main Street in London.
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