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 the 10 counties affected by the most recent storms.
Those 10 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.
The Governor Andy Beshear requested assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last week and traveled to the White House on Friday to push for the additional aid, which was approved on Monday. The approval makes immediate-need and cleaning and sanitizing money open to those who qualify.
“We are thankful to President Trump and his administration for approving this funding,” Beshear said. “This support will be a big help for our families and communities as they recover and rebuild from yet another terrible storm. During these tough times we see why Kentuckians are so special – we rally together to help each other, and I am so proud to be governor of this great commonwealth. Just like before, we will get through this – together. And I promise that we will be there as long as it takes, until every life and structure is rebuilt.”
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.
Earlier Monday, Beshear said the number of people who lost their lives in th3 statewide flooding had risen to 22.
“Sadly, our death toll today has now climbed to 22,” he said. “The newest fatality was an adult male in Marshall County, who lost his life due to hypothermia. This isn’t just a number, there are 22 Kentuckians who were loved by their families and are being mourned and missed, and are going to need our help, our support and our prayers, today, tomorrow, next week, next month and the years to come.”
Beshear termed it one of the biggest disasters he’s had to deal with during his five years in office, saying it only ranks behind the tornado outbreak of 2021 and the flooding of 2022.
He said they are still accepting contributions to The Team Kentucky Storm Relief fund to aid those impacted by the severe weather systems, including funeral expenses. Currently, they have received $300,689 from 3,100 donors. You can help by making a donation online. Just go to Teamkystormrelieffund.ky.gov.
Photo from SEOC Drone, via National Weather Service.
