KNOX COUNTY, Ky. — The federal government approved a disaster declaration for the state of Kentucky nearly two months after powerful and tornadic storms killed more than 20 people across the U.S. on Memorial Day weekend.
Six people in Kentucky died in the tornado outbreak on May 26.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said President Joe Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for Kentucky on Tuesday to free up federal funding to help the counties below, which includes Knox and Whitley counties:
- 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."
The White House said the assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, loans for uninsured property losses and other programs to help people recover.
Beshear said federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis to eligible local governments and private nonprofits for emergency work to repair and replace property damaged by strong winds, tornadoes or landslides in the following counties:
- 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.
The state said people who suffered losses in the disaster areas can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA. Beshear said he urged local officials to begin damage assessments and said people who suffered storm damage should take photos before cleaning up -- and to report the damage to their local emergency management officials.
