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Martin County among counties approved for federal Public Assistance after April storms
INEZ — Martin County is among 64 Kentucky counties approved for federal Public Assistance following devastating weather in in April. Gov. Andy Beshear announced July 23 that President Donald Trump approved Public Assistance for the 64 counties affected by the April 2 severe weather and 36 counties affected by the May 16–17 tornado outbreak. Public
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FEMA vehicle impounded in Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office impounded a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) vehicle May 7 after a disaster recovery worker fled from police during a traffic stop. Chief Deputy Chris Kidd said he clocked the vehicle at 92 mph in a 55 mph zone along KY-645 near the
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Gov. Beshear requests more federal aid
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
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FEMA extends deadline for February floods
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Kentucky residents whose homes and property were damaged during the severe storms and flooding in February now have until May 25 to apply for federal disaster assistance, FEMA announced in a recent press release. The original deadline was April 25. Assistance is available to both homeowners and renters who experienced
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FEMA home buyout offers path to ‘higher ground’
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills says the FEMA home buyout program can move residents out of the flood and onto higher ground. “This program’s whole mission is to get residents who have been flooded to higher ground,” Mills said. “It is for people who feel trapped—because no one
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Federal assistance for damaged private roads, bridges in Kentucky and West Virginia
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Residents of Kentucky and West Virginia whose private roads, bridges, or driveways were damaged by the severe storms and flooding in February may qualify for federal assistance to help with repairs or replacement from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. According to information on FEMA’s website, to qualify for FEMA assistance the
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Navigating disaster assistance: How to appeal FEMA decisions
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN In the aftermath of disasters, survivors seeking assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may find that their initial decision is not what they expected. But a denial or lower-than-expected award is not necessarily the final word. Individuals affected by disasters have the right to appeal any decision or
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FEMA opens disaster recovery center in Inez
INEZ — FEMA opened a disaster recovery center (DRC) in the former Martin County Library at 180 E Main Street in Inez. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. There is also a FEMA registration intake center March 5 and 8 at the Huntleyville
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FEMA assistance at Warfield Park Community Center
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WARFIELD — Federal emergency officials will be at the Warfield Park Community Center on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and Wednesday, Feb. 26, beginning at 9:30 a.m. to assist individuals affected by recent storms and flooding, Martin County officials announced on Facebook. Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide “disaster assistance, recovery
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SOAR COO clarifies process for FEMA
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN EASTERN KENTUCKY — As flood-impacted Kentuckians await disaster relief, SOAR COO Joshua Ball sought to clarify why individuals cannot yet apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In a statement Tuesday, Ball explained that while the federal disaster declaration has enabled public assistance, which allows local and
