President Donald Trump has approved a request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, which includes public assistance for local governments and individual assistance for Kentuckians in 10 counties affected by the most recent storms.
The counties are: Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike. Additional designations and counties may be added at a later date if warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Governor Andy Beshear requested assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency last week and traveled to the White House on Friday to push for the additional aid. The approval makes immediate-need and cleaning and sanitizing money open to those who qualify.
Federal funding is also available to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding in the 10 counties.
In addition to the 10 counties included in the declaration, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire state.
Jeremy Slinker, former director of Kentucky Emergency Management who currently serves as a coordinating officer for FEMA, has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or other similar service, can give FEMA the number for that service.
Photo from SEOC Drone, via National Weather Service.
