President Declares Major Disaster For Kentucky
Release Date: July 2, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-142
» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes
Washington, DC -- The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that federal disaster aid has been made available for the Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by recent severe storms, flooding, mud and rock slides, and tornadoes that started on June 14, 2003.
Michael D. Brown, FEMA Director and Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Homeland Security, said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the commonwealth by President Bush. The declaration covers damage to private and public property from severe storms and flooding that occurred over the period of June 14, 2003, and continuing.
"President Bush put the people of Kentucky on the road to recovery by signing today's declaration, tapping the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to help," said Brown. "In accordance with our all-hazards mission, we'll work to get Kentucky's disaster victims back on their feet after these devastating storms."
Immediately after the President's action, Brown designated the following counties eligible for aid to stricken residents and business owners: Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Rowan.
The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Additionally, Brown said federal funds will be provided for the state and affected local governments to pay 75 percent of the eligible costs for restoring damaged public facilities in the counties of Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Lawrence, Leslie, Magoffin, Monroe, Montgomery, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Rowan. The declaration also makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks.
Brown indicated that damage surveys are continuing and additional counties may be designated for aid later based on the results of the assessments. He named Alexander S. Wells of FEMA to coordinate the federal relief effort.
Wells said those who sustained losses in the counties designated for aid to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process tomorrow by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will be available starting tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
Last Modified: Thursday, 03-Jul-2003 08:12:05