Federal assistance is now available to individuals in six Kentucky counties affected by recent tornadoes and severe weather, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Friday night.
President Donald Trump signed an order making federal funding available to affected individuals in Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg and Union counties. Additional counties may become eligible for aid if warranted by damage assessments, FEMA said in a news release.
Nineteen people died in Kentucky as a result of tornadoes, storms and straight-line winds May 16-17.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who had asked Trump for an expedited disaster declaration, thanked the president and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a post on social media.
“Remember, this process takes time and we will add more counties to our request as damage assessments are completed,” Beshear said.
The governor’s request for individual assistance for Christian and Todd counties as well as public assistance for affected cities and counties and hazard mitigation for the entire state are still under review, Beshear’s office said.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster, the FEMA release said.
Jeremy Slinker has been named the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Slinker formerly was director of Kentucky Emergency Management.
The governor’s office released the following information Saturday:
How to Apply: Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas 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.
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC): Those affected can also apply at centers that have opened today in Laurel and Pulaski counties. Other sites will open soon. FEMA teams will also be walking impacted areas to meet with survivors. They will be dressed in FEMA attire and have FEMA identification.
Laurel County DRC
Laurel County Public Library
120 College Park Drive
London, KY
Mon – Sat: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sun: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Pulaski County DRC
Center for Rural Development
2292 S. Hwy. 27 #300
Somerset, KY
Mon – Sat: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sun: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
When Applying for FEMA Individual Assistance, Kentuckians should make sure:
- 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 Center, which more will open in coming days.
- Or by mail or fax.
The Kentucky Lantern is an independent, nonpartisan, free news service based in Frankfort.
