FRANKFORT — Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday that he has submitted two additional aid requests to FEMA to support families and communities impacted by April’s floods.
The governor is requesting that 16 more counties receive Individual Assistance, which provides direct support to residents for needs like housing repairs, temporary shelter and disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. President Donald Trump previously approved part of Beshear’s April 11 request for a Major Disaster Declaration, granting Individual Assistance to 13 counties April 25.
Beshear is also seeking Public Assistance for 64 counties — including Martin County — where FEMA has verified storm-related damage from the April floods. This program reimburses local governments and certain nonprofits for costs related to debris removal, emergency response, and repairs to public infrastructure such as roads, utilities and buildings.
In addition, the governor renewed his call for hazard mitigation funding for the entire state.
“When we made our initial request, we said more counties would be added as assessments came in,” Beshear said. “As promised, today we’re asking President Trump to approve more aid for families affected by the flooding. These funds are essential for helping communities rebuild — and we expect to request support for even more counties later this week.”
In a separate announcement, Beshear says the state will appeal FEMA’s denial last week of assistance to some Kentucky counties affected by flooding in February.
The agency determined the severity and magnitude in those counties did not warrant assistance, according to a letter from an acting assistant administrator in the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA denied public assistance for the February flooding to local governments in Simpson and Woodford counties and individual assistance to six counties: Butler, Franklin, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence and Whitley.
In a news release, Beshear said 68 counties were approved for public assistance and 16 counties for assistance to individuals.