Federal Disaster Declaration Approved for Kentucky Following Memorial Day Weekend Storms
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Governor Andy Beshear requested a federal disaster declaration in June for a string of severe storms that happened just before Memorial Day weekend, taking six lives.
After over a month, it was granted on July 23.
Hopkins County Judge Executive Jack Whitfield says the tornado was eerily similar to that of December 2021, but it hasn’t received as much attention.
“The disaster declaration was delayed way too long, and I don’t know what the holdup was at the federal level, but I’m glad we finally got that because I know the governor had sent it in immediately after the tornado,” he says.
With less attention comes less volunteers and those looking to volunteer time and effort. As such, he says these funds are huge for the area.
“As a county, we spent $2.3 million picking up debris. That’s a hit that the county budget just can’t stand on its own. Now that we have this disaster declaration, that means that we will get reimbursed 75% from the federal government and 12% from the state government,” Whitfield explains. “The county will just have to pay 13% of that $2.3 to $2.5 Million that we’ll end up with.”
More than just the county though, Whitfield says what’s most important is the help it can bring to individuals.
Looking at some of the damage, a focus could land on the funding that can provide assistance like grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and loans to cover uninsured property losses.
“That means FEMA can come in and help people whose homes were damaged or destroyed, especially those who were hit in ‘21 and again with this one. I can’t even imagine how that feels, and up until now they’ve not had that federal assistance,” says Whitfield. “So that will be coming now, and that’s going to be huge for those individuals whose had major damage or destroyed homes.”
According to the Governor’s press release, impacted residents and business owners can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App.
The Governor’s full press release reads as follows:
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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