Kentucky Disaster Recovery Update May 31
Release Date: May 31, 2002
Release Number: 1414-24
» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
London, KY -- Nearly $20.5 million in federal grants or loans has been approved to help Kentuckians who were affected by two separate spring storm systems occurring during March, April and May of this year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.
That figure does not include costs yet to be totaled to help the commonwealth and local governments pay for cleaning up debris and for damages to roads, bridges and other public facilities.
The storms, which spawned tornadoes, hail and flooding, resulted in President Bush making two separate disaster declarations, one for the storm occurring March 17-21, and the other occurring April 27 - May 10. The areas affected reach from the western to the eastern borders of the state.
The first storm during a March 17-21 period caused severe flooding that resulted in 30 counties being declared by the president as the first disaster. Since then, more than $15.7 million has been approved for housing, individual family grants or low-interest loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration for victims in those counties. The deadline for applying for recovery assistance in the counties affected by this first presidentially declared disaster is June 3.
Following that flood disaster, tornadoes tore through a stretch of west Kentucky, during the April 27-May 10 period, devastating areas surrounding Webster and Breckinridge counties, pounding areas around Laurel and Pulaski counties with peach-size hailstones and causing more flooding. The application deadline for individuals suffering losses in those events is July 8.
So far, more than $4.6 million in federal grants or loans has been approved for persons in the 32 counties comprising this second disaster area.
- A total of 5,734 Kentucky residents have registered for disaster assistance since President Bush declared the severe storms of March, April and May as major disasters.
- Disaster housing checks totaling $6,217,987 have been issued to assist with temporary housing and minor home repairs. FEMA inspectors have completed 4,177 inspections.
- More than 2,028 persons have visited the fixed Disaster Recovery Centers or mobile Disaster Recovery Centers seeking information including answers to questions about their disaster assistance application.
- Kentucky officials are currently processing 1,134 requests for Individual and Family Grant (IFG) assistance and have approved $4,054,599. IFG may be used to cover serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other programs.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $10.1 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.
- Ninety-six Kentucky government agencies and 21 private non-profit entities have made requests for assistance from the FEMA/Kentucky Public Assistance program that provides funds for the repair of public facilities such as roads, bridges, public buildings and utilities, and for debris removal. Certain private non-profit organizations that operate eligible facilities may qualify for assistance.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is now available through the Kentucky Department of Employment Service for residents of the 32 Kentucky counties declared on May 7. The deadline for filing an application is Saturday, June 15. Those 32 counties are Boyle, Breckinridge, Casey, Clay, Crittenden, Floyd, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Hopkins, Jackson, Knott, Knox, Larue, Laurel, Letcher, Marion, Martin, McCreary, McLean, Meade, Nelson, Ohio, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Taylor, Union, Washington, Webster, and Whitley.
- More than 5,230 persons have called the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for information and answers to questions about their applications.
- Individuals may register for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); 1-800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired. While most assistance offered under government programs covers basic needs only and will not compensate individuals for their entire loss, disaster recovery programs can give a helping hand on the road to recovery.
Figures listed below are as of close of business Thursday, May 30, and reflect approved claims. Not all applicants are eligible for Disaster Housing assistance.
1407-DR-KY
| County | Total Applicants | Approved Disaster Housing Funds |
| Bath | 57 | $109,843 |
| Bell | 274 | $393,589 |
| Bourbon | * | $845 |
| Boyd | 198 | $349,331 |
| Carter | 323 | $558,686 |
| Clay | 38 | $42,569 |
| Elliott | 23 | $34,684 |
| Fleming | 14 | $7,492 |
| Floyd | 59 | $77,276 |
| Greenup | 128 | $253,921 |
| Harlan | 851 | $1,189,044 |
| Johnson | 27 | $39,259 |
| Knott | 18 | $33,782 |
| Knox | 314 | $287,494 |
| Laurel | 16 | $2,998 |
| Lawrence | 28 | $48,883 |
| Leslie | 54 | $77,328 |
| Letcher | 12 | $24,081 |
| Lewis | 314 | $688,419 |
| Magoffin | * | $5,292 |
| Martin | * | $8,262 |
| McCreary | 16 | $18,583 |
| Menifee | 17 | $26,749 |
| Montgomery | 24 | $23,573 |
| Morgan | 24 | $31,642 |
| Nicholas | * | $10,592 |
| Perry | 38 | $50,081 |
| Pike | 109 | $25,682 |
| Rowan | 181 | $216,764 |
| Whitley | 95 | $79,669 |
| Total | 3,267 | $4,716,413 |
**Less than 10 applicants.
Figures listed below are as of close of business Thursday, May 30, and reflect approved claims.
Not all applicants are eligible for Disaster Housing assistance.
1414-DR-KY
| County | Total Applicants | Approved Disaster Housing Funds |
| Boyle | * | $2,367 |
| Breckinridge | 57 | $12,001 |
| Casey | 28 | $8,100 |
| Clay | 24 | $20,553 |
| Crittenden | * | $0 |
| Floyd | 54 | $44,836 |
| Grayson | * | $3,982 |
| Hancock | 0 | $0 |
| Hardin | 140 | $28,962 |
| Henderson | * | $0 |
| Hopkins | 33 | $9,478 |
| Jackson | * | $481 |
| Knott | * | $15,525 |
| Knox | 23 | $6,888 |
| Larue | * | $0 |
| Laurel | 423 | $290,112 |
| Letcher | * | $2,999 |
| Marion | 299 | $37,397 |
| Martin | 24 | $26,339 |
| McCreary | 0 | $0 |
| McLean | * | $1,119 |
| Meade | 66 | $27,578 |
| Nelson | 25 | $13,314 |
| Ohio | * | $6,318 |
| Pike | 600 | $695,678 |
| Pulaski | 88 | $71,976 |
| Rockcastle | 66 | $43,600 |
| Taylor | * | $0 |
| Washington | 91 | $15,097 |
| Union | * | $0 |
| Webster | 317 | $1,853 |
| Whitley | 15 | $0 |
| Total | 2,351 | 1,501,573 |
*Less than 10 applications.
Last Modified: Friday, 22-Aug-2003 10:32:36