Governor Andy Beshear has announced that two more requests have been submitted to FEMA, seeking assistance for families and communities impacted by the floods in April.
First, Governor Beshear is requesting that families in 16 additional counties receive Individual Assistance to aid in their recovery. On April 25, the Governor announced that President Donald Trump had approved a portion of his April 11 request for a Major Disaster Declaration. This approval included Individual Assistance for residents in 13 of the counties affected by the recent flooding, including Christian and Hopkins.
Second, the Governor is now requesting Public Assistance for 64 counties where FEMA has confirmed damages, including Caldwell, Hopkins, Lyon, and Trigg. Additionally, Gov. Beshear has renewed his request for approval of hazard mitigation measures for the entire state.
On Monday, the Governor announced that FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers have opened in eight of the initial 13 counties approved for Individual Assistance. Families in these counties can visit any Disaster Recovery Center to receive recovery assistance and apply for federal aid. Officials said it’s expected that all 13 counties will have a Disaster Recovery Center open by Wednesday.
Click here to view the hours and locations of the Disaster Recovery Centers.
How to Apply: Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 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.
When applying for assistance, make sure:
- You apply for the correct declaration (April Flood DR-4864).
- You upload your documents online via the FEMA App or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Your damaged home is your primary residence.
- You haven’t received assistance for the same losses from another source, including insurance.
- You are able to be reached by FEMA at the contact information you provide in the application.
If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you may appeal:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- In person at a Disaster Recovery Centers, which will open in coming days.
- Or by mail or fax.
Click here to learn more about FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, which provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster.
Click here to learn more about FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial and local governments, as well as certain types of private nonprofit organizations, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters.
As the rains led to widespread flooding, Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency and activated the State Emergency Operations Center and the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the severe weather. The price gouging prohibition was renewed April 17.
Following the storms, the Governor urged local officials to start the federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance damage assessments and asked Kentuckians who experienced storm damage to take photographs before cleaning up and to report the damages to their local emergency management officials.
How To Help: The Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund was established after the severe weather in February and will serve survivors of that and additional natural disasters. As with previous relief funds, these dollars will first help pay for victims’ funeral expenses. To donate, click here.
