PIKEVILLE,Ky.— After declaring Pike Co. a disaster area around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear flew to the Pikeville/Pike Co. Airport to assess the damage and visit with those who are struggling through the days after the recent winter storm.

“That executive order allowed us to loosen up our assets that we have to work with local officials to really hit this thing head on,” Beshear said. “I just want to see first-hand what the situation is and I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to get our folks back on their feet as soon as possible.”

Beshear’s convoy made its first stop at Pike County Central High School, where the school’s cafeteria has been transformed into a makeshift shelter.

Beshear, along with Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford and State Rep. W. Keith Hall, talked to those being hou-sed at the school, which included a family of eight.

“Families, especially large ones, elderly folks and those who have medical emergencies are the people who really struggle in times like this,” Rutherford said. “The governor and his staff should be commended for coming here and seeing what we, as Pike County residents, are going through.”

Beshear and Rutherford were also complimentary of the resiliency of the people of Pike County.

“Our folks here in eastern Kentucky really come together, they are tenacious,” Beshear said. “They take care of each other, and that is what they are doing now.”

Rutherford agreed with the governor.

“Our shelters are a good thing to have for the people who need them,” Ruther-ford said. “There would be much more people in shelters like ours if we weren’t in Pike Co. People in this county go to a friend, relative or neighbor’s house. Most of the time people in Pike County just stay home and take care of themselves and the people in their communities. That is what we do and what we are known for.”

After the visit to Pike Central, Beshear and Ruth-erford traveled to Shelby Valley High School and met with those who sought refuge at that shelter. Be-shear and Rutherford then greeted people standing in line for kerosene before visiting Lori Tackett of Cabin Fork Road in Dorton and her neighbors, Fred and Hester Baker.

Rutherford returned to the county courthouse, where he worked well into the night and Beshear went on to Letcher County.