One Month Remains To Seek Disaster Assistance
Release Date: June 7, 2002
Release Number: 1414-30
» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
» More Information on Kentucky Storms and Flooding
London, KY -- More than $25.8 million in federal grants or loans has been approved to help Kentuckians who were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred 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 the 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 $17 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 to apply for recovery assistance in the counties affected by this first declared disaster was June 3rd.
The second severe storm, which ocurred during the April 27-May 10 period, resulted in tornadoes ravaging portions of west Kentucky, devastating areas around 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 during the April 27-May 10 period is July 8.
So far, more than $8.8 million in federal grants or loans has been approved for persons in the 32 counties comprising this second disaster area.
- A total of 5,968 Kentucky residents have registered for disaster assistance since President Bush declared the severe storms of March, April and May as major disasters.
- Disaster housing assistance totaling $6,779,317 has been approved to assist with temporary housing and minor home repairs. To date, FEMA inspectors have completed 4,456 inspections.
- More than 2,246 persons have visited the fixed Disaster Recovery Centers or mobile Disaster Recovery Centers seeking information including answers to questions about their disaster assistance applications.
- Kentucky officials are currently processing 1,268 requests for Individual and Family Grant (IFG) assistance and have approved $4,554,747 in grant funds so far. 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 nearly $14.5 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.
- Ninety-seven Kentucky government agencies and 24 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 available through the Kentucky Department of Employment Service for residents of the 32 Kentucky counties who were affected by the April 27-May 10 storms. The deadline for filing an application for unemployment assistance is Saturday, June 15. The 32 eligible 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.
- To date, more than 5,900 persons have called the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for information and answers to questions about their applications.
- Individuals who were affected by the second storm may still register for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-3362 (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, June 6, 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 | 278 | $410,185 |
| Bourbon | * | $845 |
| Boyd | 203 | $352,025 |
| Carter | 332 | $584,739 |
| Clay | 39 | $42,882 |
| Elliott | 23 | $42,731 |
| Fleming | 14 | $7,492 |
| Floyd | 59 | $77,276 |
| Greenup | 143 | $313,633 |
| Harlan | 860 | $1,204,584 |
| Johnson | 30 | $46,232 |
| Knott | 18 | $33,782 |
| Knox | 314 | $291,924 |
| Laurel | 16 | $2,998 |
| Lawrence | 30 | $57,762 |
| Leslie | 54 | $80,252 |
| Letcher | 12 | $24,081 |
| Lewis | 397 | $805,809 |
| Magoffin | * | $5,292 |
| Martin | * | $8,262 |
| McCreary | 16 | $29,062 |
| Menifee | 18 | $27,939 |
| Montgomery | 24 | $26,291 |
| Morgan | 24 | $31,642 |
| Nicholas | * | $10,592 |
| Perry | 38 | $50,081 |
| Pike | 109 | $30,228 |
| Rowan | 184 | $228,231 |
| Whitley | 95 | $79,669 |
| Total | 3,402 | $5,016,364 |
**Less than 10 applicants.
Figures listed below are as of close of business Thursday, June 6, and reflect approved claims. Not all applicants are eligible for Disaster Housing assistance.
1414-DR-KY
| County | Total Applicants | Approved Disaster Housing Funds |
|---|---|---|
| Boyle | * | $3,418 |
| Breckinridge | 59 | $25,330 |
| Casey | 33 | $8,100 |
| Clay | 37 | $34,679 |
| Crittenden | * | $0 |
| Floyd | 62 | $60,632 |
| Grayson | * | $3,982 |
| Hancock | 0 | $0 |
| Hardin | 148 | $31,374 |
| Henderson | * | $0 |
| Hopkins | 36 | $10,381 |
| Jackson | * | $481 |
| Knott | 10 | $17,373 |
| Knox | 32 | $12,497 |
| Larue | * | $0 |
| Laurel | 455 | $307,769 |
| Letcher | * | $2,999 |
| Marion | 251 | $44,668 |
| Martin | 24 | $54,716 |
| McCreary | 0 | 0 |
| McLean | * | $1,119 |
| Meade | 69 | $33,303 |
| Nelson | 26 | $13,314 |
| Ohio | * | $6,318 |
| Pike | 647 | $784,311 |
| Pulaski | 102 | $80,716 |
| Rockcastle | 70 | $47,285 |
| Taylor | * | $0 |
| Washington | 106 | $15,951 |
| Union | * | $0 |
| Webster | 339 | $156,798 |
| Whitley | 21 | $5,439 |
| Total | 2,566 | 1,762,953 |
*Less than 10 applications.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 13:06:28