DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. — On Friday, displaced families began moving into state-purchased trailers in Mayfield and Pennyrile State Park. The trailers were purchased for tornado victims after the passage of Senate Bill 5.
What You Need To Know
- 200 travel trailers were purchased for displaced tornado survivors through the passage of Senate Bill 5
- Trailers have been delivered to Mayfield and Pennyrile State Park near Dawson Springs
- Trailers are provided free-of-charge to families who registered for disaster relief
- Families with school-age children were the first to move in
The camping trailers purchased by the state for tornado survivors were delivered to two sites this week: Mayfield and Pennyrile State Park near Dawson Springs.
Jerome Vanmatre and his family begin moving into a trailer at Pennyrile on Friday. Their Dawson Springs home was badly damaged by the EF-4 tornado that tore through Kentucky on the evening of Dec. 10, 2021.
“We have everything we need: microwave, bathroom, refrigerator, a good warm place to sleep which we did not have. I mean it’s just great," Vanmatre said.
Gov. Andy Beshear ceremoniously handed over the keys to three families Friday morning at Pennyrile State Park. The park's infrastructure allows for easy access to water and sewage lines and is the closest public land for families in Hopkins and Caldwell Counties affected by the deadly storms.
“At the end of six months, we can request another six months. So it can provide shelter for at least a year," Gov. Beshear said of the trailers.
Jennifer Vanmatre said she's thankful for the trailer and for the scenery.
“I feel this is the best situation for us and our family and it’s a beautiful state park and we can have some peace to sit on the picnic table and gather our thoughts for the day," Vanmatre said.
Other families affected by the storm have been living in furnished park cabins also at Pennyrile. Beshear held a similar event at the Mayfield Mobile Home Park Friday afternoon where more trailers were given to tornado survivors.