High-ground neighborhood in Letcher County is site of 10 homes for flood survivors

WHITESBURG, KY - On May 23, 2025, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local leaders in Letcher County to celebrate the completion of The Cottages at Thompson Branch. The new neighborhood is the site of 10 new homes, built out of the floodplain, for survivors of the 2022 flood.

“Today is the culmination of faith, belief and the hard work of so many,” said Gov. Beshear. “These brand-new homes are for Kentuckians who have gone through the very worst and deserve the best. We are going to be there for our people until every structure, home and life is rebuilt.”

Three homes are currently occupied, with five more under purchase agreements.

“When the floods hit three years ago, a day like today felt a long way off,” said Letcher County Judge/Executive Terry Adams. “Today, we’re helping our community heal, and are continuing in our rebuilding efforts. We have more work to do, and today shows that we are making amazing progress.”

In collaboration with Team Kentucky, HOMES Inc. was the developer of the property. Eight of the homes received $100,000 in funding from the Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. The other two homes were installed in partnership with FEMA and received funding from the Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund.

“HOMES Inc. was honored to work on this neighborhood, bringing hope and security to those who needed it,” said Seth Long, executive director of HOMES Inc. “These new homeowners will have peace of mind knowing they are safe from floodwaters and have state-of-the-art houses to call their own.”

Twenty-three trees were planted at Thompson Branch through the joint contributions of Green Forests Work and Wilson Plant Co.

About the High Ground Initiative
The Cottages at Thompson Branch is the second high-ground neighborhood to be completed out of Team Kentucky’s high-ground initiative. Last year, Gov. Beshear celebrated the completion of another high-ground site in Floyd County.

In total, Gov. Beshear has announced eight high-ground communities in Breathitt, Floyd, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties.

All high-ground communities will be built out of the floodplain.

Additional Projects in Letcher County
Last month, Gov. Beshear announced the following projects for Letcher County:

• $15.3 million in Disaster Recovery funds to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to build the roads in the future Grand View neighborhood;
• $4.7 million in Disaster Recovery funds to the city of Jenkins to install water and sewer infrastructure at Grand View;
• $4.5 million in Disaster Recovery funds to the Letcher County Fiscal Court to turn the old Fleming-Neon High School into 18 affordable apartments; and
• $4.2 million in Disaster Recovery funds to HOMES Inc. to build 12 new homes in Letcher County.

Last year, Gov. Beshear announced that the Letcher County Fiscal Court would use $8,707,500 in Disaster Recovery funds to build 29 total homes in the communities of Seco and Uz. That project will also include the installation of infrastructure to support the new homes, including roads, water, sewer and electric.

Disaster Recovery
Governor Beshear has established the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund to assist those impacted by severe weather systems beginning in 2025. To donate, click here.

Housing Can’t Wait Resource
Gov. Beshear is encouraging anyone who was impacted by the flooding of 2021, 2022 or 2025 to visit HousingCantWait.org and fill out an interest form. A team member from Fahe will get in touch with applicants, determine eligibility for Disaster Recovery housing and provide help with the housing process.