BEATTYVILLE, Ky. — The community in Beattyville is rebuilding following the historic flash flooding that took place last month.

Lee County Judge Executive Chuck Caudill said the first week after the floodwaters receded, the county and city spent hours collecting debris.

He said businesses and homes have begun to tear down wet drywall and now they’re in the rebuilding process.

“So we're well on our way. It is heartbreaking as it is for a lot of these people," Caudill said. "One thing you see here in the community is we do come together and we put our, our nose to the grindstone go back to work every day trying to make the community better than it was before."

Caudill said at least 75 homes were impacted and to this day 25 people still remain displaced. He credits help from non-profit organizations and donations for restoration efforts.

“I absolutely believe that this crisis will be something that will forge us into a stronger cohesive unit,” Caudill said. “And I do believe that when it's all said and done, Beattyville/ Lee county will come out of this much stronger, much better than they were when we went into it. It has focus is back on taking care of each other, because I’ve always said this, we've got this Lee county.”

Up and down the streets of Beattyville, life seems to have resumed to normal a month later but the rebuilding process is day by day.

In response, Gov. Andy Beshear submitted a request Wednesday to President Joe Biden asking that a Major Disaster Declaration be issued in south central and south eastern Kentucky counties.

“This flooding was some of the worst in my lifetime, damaging about 2,000 homes and destroying infrastructure, including some of our roadways, and we are asking the president to declare a disaster to provide both individual and public assistance that is needed to help our people and our communities rebuild,” Beshear said. “This flooding, just days after harsh Winter storms left tens of thousands without power, was the latest in a line of devastating setbacks, but our people are strong, we are resilient and we will build back.”

Late February and early March, Kentucky experienced more than seven inches of rain in four counties. Green, Kentucky, Licking, Ohio, Red and Mississippi rivers all accumlated a lot of water.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has conducted joint damage assessments and validated more than 2,000 impacted homes in the counties of Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Johnson, Lee, Magoffin, Martin and Powell. 

The heavy rainfall led to flash flooding, mudslides, and landslides across the Commonwealth.

Rebekkah Early is one of the business owners rebuilding after the storms destroyed her tattoo shop.

“We're doing all brand new. The old building is gone, new building new look,” Early said. “To be honest with you I’m terrified of starting all over again. I don’t know how this is going to go. No one does.”

She’s starting all over again just blocks away from her old location in downtown Beattyville.

“A dream is going to fall into your lap. You've got to work for it,” Early said. “I’ve got a 14-year-old daughter, that's watching me. I got to keep going for her.”