STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, on July 3, 2016, and continuing, a severe storm system with wind, rain, torrential rain, hail, severe wind gusting, and tornadoes, began tracking across the entire Commonwealth, resulting in, and having the potential to further cause, injuries and major impacts to infrastructure, governmental properties, and private properties; and
WHEREAS, these conditions endanger public health and safety and/or public and private property; and
WHEREAS, state and local governments share responsibility for protection of public health, safety, and security as well as for the protection of public and private property and for taking appropriate actions to ensure the provision of essential public services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Matthew G. Bevin, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of Kentucky and by Chapter 39A of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, do hereby declare that a State of Emergency exists in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and do hereby Order and Direct that:
1. The Division of Emergency Management within the Department of Military Affairs shall execute the Kentucky Emergency Operations Plan and, from the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center, shall coordinate the response and relief activities of all state agencies and private relief organizations in response to this emergency.
2. The Adjutant General is authorized to issue active duty orders for the mobilization of such National Guard personnel and equipment as he may determine to protect life and safety, to continue essential public services and to prevent undue loss and suffering.
3. All state agencies shall coordinate any and all public and emergency information and/or activities/releases related to this emergency and the response efforts of state agencies with the Division of Emergency Management.
4. All state agencies shall provide sufficient personnel required for the staffing of the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center or other command, control, and coordination points as may be designated by the Division of Emergency Management’s Director and shall provide such personnel, vehicles, equipment, and other resources needed to protect life and property and to ensure continuation, restoration and recovery of essential public services.
5. The Finance and Administration Cabinet is directed to provide assistance with incident/disaster resource management, procurements and contracting, and to fund the urgent operational and/or response costs of the Division of Emergency Management and the unbudgeted expenditures and obligations of other state agencies that are incurred in response to this emergency incident and in executing the provisions of this Executive Order.
6. The Division of Emergency Management is authorized to request assistance, federal, state, local, private sector, volunteer, and donated resources as may be available to minimize human suffering and to restore essential services to the general population and to assist state and local governments and individuals impacted by this emergency.
7. The Division of Emergency Management shall consult with the American National Red Cross and local officials to determine the need for emergency shelters for displaced families and shall coordinate with local government, school boards, and other organizations to determine the availability of schools and other facilities to be used as shelters during this emergency.
8. Transportation, on and access to any and all public roadways, in the affected area may be restricted or prohibited in the interest of public health and safety.
9. The Kentucky Community Crisis Response Board (KCCRB) is directed to activate their network of trained counselors to provide crisis response services to citizens in the affected area.
