Aerial search underway for Ky. women still missing after flooding

BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - More than six weeks after deadly flooding in Eastern Kentucky, the search continues for two missing women in Breathitt County.

Vanessa Baker and Nancy Cundiff both lived in the Lost Creek community, which was among the hardest hit places in the area. The two were swept away by floodwaters.

Thursday, Governor Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky Emergency Management has coordinated with the Kentucky State Police aviation branch to conduct an aerial search for Baker and Cundiff.

“Kentucky State Police aviation branch is conducting another aerial search for the two missing women and, so, many different crews have been out multiple weekends and pretty much day in and day out continuing that search,” Gov. Beshear said.

Family members of the two women say they are leaning on their faith as the search efforts continue.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Baker and Cundiff is asked to contact Kentucky State Police post 13 in Hazard at (606) 435-6069.

Governor Beshear also announced Kentucky will receive nearly $1 million in FEMA disaster case management grant funding. It will expand long-term disaster case management services in the 13 counties affected by the floods.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is quickly approaching. People only have until September 28 to submit their claims.

“That means that if you don’t register with FEMA as a resident of one of the 13 counties, it’s going to be too late to qualify for any federal assistance,” FEMA spokesperson Nate Custer said.

People can submit appeals for denied claims past that September 28 deadline.

“The deadline for appeals is 60 days from the time the FEMA decision was made,” Custer said.

Custer said some people may be hesitant to apply.

“They will say, ‘well the folks down the street, they need the help more than I do, and I’ll let the FEMA funding go down to my neighbors that were harder hit.’ But that’s not the case,” Custer said.

Custer said the assistance is available for everyone, and anyone impacted by the floods should apply.

According to Team Kentucky, more than $60 million in grants have been approved under the FEMA Individuals and Households Programs, for more than 7,100 households.

You can click here for more information on FEMA assistance.

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