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A RESOLUTION encouraging the development and construction of the East 1
Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain near Pikeville, Kentucky. 2
WHEREAS, eastern K entucky has experienced an increase in the occurrence and 3
severity of natural disasters, including catastrophic flooding, mudslides, ice storms, and 4
other extreme weather events; and 5
WHEREAS, Kentucky ranks among the most disaster-impacted states in the nation, 6
with eight of the ten counties with the highest number of federal major disaster 7
declarations between 2011 and 2023 located in the Commonwealth; and 8
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives recognizes an urgent need for a 9
strategically located, well -equipped regional disaster relief center to ensure rapid 10
response, efficient supply distribution, and support for displaced individuals; and 11
WHEREAS, research shows that every dollar spent on disaster mitigation and 12
resilience can return up to $13 in benefits through avoided damages, reduced disruptions, 13
and faster recovery; and 14
WHEREAS, one of the recommendations of the General Assembly's 2025 Disaster 15
Prevention and Resiliency Task Force was to expand community resilience and 16
mitigation efforts by identifying current state resources and existing local resilience hubs 17
and by creating new hubs as needed to support preparedness, resilience, and mitigation 18
projects at the local level; and 19
WHEREAS, Bear Mountain would be a safe, secure, and effective site for a 20
centralized disaster relief hub in eastern Kentucky, as it offers multiple connections to 21
major north -south and east -west corridors, a centralized location allowing for rapid 22
response to multiple counties, and a large buildable site supporting scalable 23
infrastructure; and 24
WHEREAS, the planned East Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain is 25
expected to consist of helicopter landing sites, recreational vehicle hook -ups, a 26
communication center, a distribution facility, a command center which will includ e 27
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emergency shelter space, and a clinic equipped with basic first aid supplies; and 1
WHEREAS, the Uni versity of Pikeville plans to facilitate the operation of the 2
disaster relief center in cooperation with the surrounding community through mutually 3
beneficial agreements with local law enforcement and first responders who work so 4
diligently to keep the citizens of eastern Kentucky safe; and 5
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives recognizes the work that the University 6
of Pikeville is doing to bring this disaster relief center to Bear Mountain and to ensure the 7
preparedness and resiliency of eastern Kentucky; 8
NOW, THEREFORE, 9
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 10
Commonwealth of Kentucky: 11
Section 1. The members of the House of Representatives recognize the 12
importance and urgent need for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and resiliency efforts 13
throughout the Commonwealth and encourage the development and construction of the 14
East Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain near Pikeville, Kentucky. 15
Section 2. The Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a 16
copy of this Resolution to Representative Tackett Laferty for delivery to the University of 17
Pikeville. 18