Gov. Beshear: Expedited Major Disaster Declaration Issued for Kentucky Following February Flooding

Federal funding will include individual and public assistance

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that President Donald Trump has approved his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, which includes public assistance for local governments and individual assistance for Kentuckians in the 10 counties affected by the most recent storms.

Those counties are Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike. Additional designations and counties may be added at a later date if warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The Governor requested the assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last week and traveled to the White House on Friday to push for the additional aid. Today, the President approved the request. The approval makes immediate-need and cleaning and sanitizing money open to those who qualify.

“We are thankful to President Trump and his administration for approving this funding. This support will be a big help for our families and communities as they recover and rebuild from yet another terrible storm,” Gov. Beshear said. “During these tough times we see why Kentuckians are so special – we rally together to help each other, and I am so proud to be Governor of this great commonwealth. Just like before, we will get through this – together. And I promise that we will be there as long as it takes – until every life and structure is rebuilt.”

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 flooding in the 10 counties.

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

Jeremy Slinker, former director of Kentucky Emergency Management who currently serves as a coordinating officer for FEMA, has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

How to Apply: Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties 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.

When applying for assistance, 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 Centers, which will open in coming days.
• Or by mail or fax.

Following the storms, 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.

Last week, the Governor also thanked property valuation administrators for their assistance in determining the number of properties within the flooded areas and their assessed values, and the building locations within those properties. This information is crucial to helping the state secure financial assistance from FEMA.

Prior to devastating floods brought on by a severe weather system and subsequent below-freezing temperatures, the combination of which has taken the lives of 22 Kentuckians, Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency and has since received a federal disaster declaration by President Trump.

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 Feb. 17, the Governor surveyed flood damage in Eastern Kentucky, visited families affected by the storms and held a press conference with local officials.

How To Help: The Governor launched the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. To donate, click here. The fund had raised $300,689 as of Monday morning from 3,100 generous donors. These dollars will first help pay for each victim’s funeral.

Gov. Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear are encouraging Kentuckians to donate blood, and they hosted a blood drive in the State Capitol Rotunda on Monday, Feb. 24. Kentuckians can find links to additional opportunities to give blood here.

The Governor provided his latest update on the state’s response to February’s severe weather Monday morning. To watch, click here.