Gov. Beshear: Federal Disaster Declaration Approved for Kentucky Following Memorial Day Weekend Storms

Federal funding available to affected individuals in 15 counties

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 24, 2024) - After a severe weather system that ultimately took the lives of six Kentuckians moved through the commonwealth on the weekend before Memorial Day, Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and requested a federal disaster declaration, which was approved yesterday by President Joe Biden.

The Governor requested the declaration in June, and the approval makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Clay, Greenup, Hopkins, Knox, Logan, Muhlenberg, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren and Whitley counties.

"We are once again thankful to President Biden and his administration for approving this funding. This support will be a big help for our families as they recover and rebuild from yet another terrible storm," Gov. Beshear said. "As always, we saw our first responders and everyday Kentuckians rally to help each other in those toughest of moments, and that is why I am so proud to be Governor of this great commonwealth."

According to the White House, 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.

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 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides in the counties of Adair, Allen, Ballard, Barren, Breckinridge, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crittenden, Cumberland, Edmonson, Estill, Fulton, Garrard, Graves, Grayson, Green, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Jackson, Knox, LaRue, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, McCreary, McLean, Meade, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Owsley, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Whitley and Woodford.

Lastly, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire state.

E. Craig Levy Sr. of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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.

Following the storms over the Memorial Day weekend, 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.

Gov. Beshear also activated the State Emergency Operations Center and activated the state's price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the severe weather.

On Memorial Day, Gov. Beshear visited the hardest impacted areas in Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties to view storm damage and speak with local officials and families impacted by the severe weather.

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Editor's note: Click here to watch a video message from Gov. Beshear.

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