Federal Disaster Aid Total In Kentucky Exceeds $14 Million 

Release Date: April 6, 2012
Release Number: 4057-051

» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

FRANKFORT, Ky. — More than $14 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for Kentucky survivors of the recent severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding occurring Feb. 29 through March 3.

“The swift action by our local, state and federal partners in response to this natural disaster has allowed millions of federal dollars to go directly to our families as they recover and rebuild their lives,” Gov. Steve Beshear said. “We will continue to monitor and assist in these long-term recovery efforts until every community is stable and thriving once again.”

To date:

• Over 5,000 Kentuckians in 21 designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
• More than $6.3 million has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
• More than 2,580 homes sustained damages. Of those, more than 671 were destroyed.
• Over 4,400 households have received FEMA grants to help pay for temporary housing.
• Over 2,940 inspections of damaged properties have been conducted.
• Over $6.7 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses has been approved by the Small Business Administration.
• Nearly $1.6 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.

The 14 Kentucky counties eligible for help from FEMA’s Public Assistance program are Ballard, Grant, Johnson, Kenton, Larue, Laurel, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Morgan, Pendleton, Trimble and Wolfe.

Public Assistance is available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, utilities, schools and similar facilities. Public Assistance is also available to certain private nonprofit agencies and organizations.

Commonwealth counties eligible for Individual Assistance are Bath, Campbell, Carroll, Grant, Grayson, Johnson, Kenton, Larue, Laurel, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Rowan, Russell, Trimble and Wolfe.

Individual Assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.

Kentucky Emergency Management and FEMA are encouraging Kentuckians to make sure their friends, neighbors and family members have registered with FEMA for federal disaster assistance.

The federal disaster assistance registration deadline for Individual Assistance is May 7.

Disaster officials stress the importance of returning the SBA loan application survivors may have received as part of their registration package. Completion of the application provides information that may determine eligibility for further federal disaster assistance.

There are three ways to register with FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance: call 800-621-FEMA (3362), register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or register using a tablet or Smartphone by visiting m.fema.gov. Help is available in many languages.

Disaster applicants who use TTY should call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service should call 800-621-3362. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, every day.

Kentucky Emergency Management urges anyone who has storm damage to their residence or other property to document the damage by photographing or videoing it and to maintain a list of any repairs and keep repair receipts. Report the damage and location to your county emergency manager.

Free crisis counseling, supported by a grant from FEMA, is available to Kentuckians who suffer from stress, anxiety or depression as a result of the recent storms and flooding. Persons who need this assistance and live in Johnson, Magoffin, or Martin County call 800-422-1060; residents of Bath, Lawrence, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Rowan, or Wolfe counties call 800-562-8909; citizens in Campbell, Carroll, Grant, Kenton, or Pendleton County call 859-331-3292; and in Laurel County, call 888-640-9335.

The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides Commonwealth, local governments and certain private nonprofits with grants to improve the ability of public facilities to withstand future disasters.

More disaster-specific information can be found on the Kentucky Emergency Management website at www.kyem.ky.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Last Modified: Friday, 06-Apr-2012 18:07:23