Pilot: Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences: Conducting Initial Environmental Sampling and Analysis Following the Unprecedented Flooding in Southeastern Kentucky in the Summer of 2022

Investigators: Jason Unrine (MPI)1,2, Anna Hoover (MPI)3, Ellen Hahn4, Wayne Sanderson5, and Erin Haynes3. 1. Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute 2. Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment 3. Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, College of Public Health 4. BREATHE, College of Nursing 5. Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Beginning the night of July 27, 2022, Southeastern Kentucky was hit with record rainfall that resulted in unprecedented flash flooding. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauge on the North Fork of the Kentucky River at Whitesburg reached a flood stage of over 22 feet, far exceeding the previous record of 15.6 feet, when the stream gauge stopped recording data after reaching the maximum range of the gauge (23 ft). This intense rainfall resulted in extensive flooding in areas of Letcher, Perry, Knott, Clay, and Breathitt counties causing widespread injuries, fatalities, and property damage. Several of the investigators listed here were contacted by community members of the UK-CARES Stakeholder Advisory Board with concerns about environmental health and safety following the flooding. Concerns include, but are not limited to, impacts on drinking water and surface water quality and potential contamination, deposition of potentially contaminated sediment in residential and business areas and within buildings, which could dry and become a source of airborne particulate matter, volatile organic carbon (VOC) compounds being emitted into the air from water damaged building materials and sediment, and exposure to potentially harmful substances from mold in water damaged buildings. One community member in Whitesburg complained about the smell of diesel in the tap water. Whitesburg has a history of contamination of the water supply with diesel making this a priority to address. Other concerns include physical injuries occurring during recovery activities. To address concerns over the medium term, members of the team have submitted a letter of intent to RFA-ES-19-011: Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Research Opportunities in Environmental Health Sciences (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed; Anna Hoover, PI). However, over the short term, there is a need to rapidly deploy resources to perform environmental sampling and analysis to aid community members with hazard identification and prevention. In addition to rapid hazard identification, the data will be used as pilot data should the R21 be selected for a full proposal. Due to the strength of our local networks, we will focus on Letcher, Perry, and Floyd Counties. Funds