Kentucky Disaster Aid Tops $3.6 Million
Release Date: March 24, 2008
Release Number: 1746-035
» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- More than $3.6 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved to help individuals and families in Kentucky recover from the tornadoes and severe storms in early February, according to officials from the Kentucky Emergency Management Division (KYEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
More than $2 million ($2,421,900) of the total is in the form of low-interest disaster loans to individuals and business owners. The remainder ($1,180,224) is in grants for housing and other types of assistance
"FEMA's mission here is to help the commonwealth help its citizens," said Michael Bolch, who is leading the federal program in Kentucky. "Fulfilling that mission, we continue to register applicants and provide increasing amounts of aid."
As of close of business March 21, FEMA had received 928 applications for disaster assistance from individuals in Kentucky. Inspectors had evaluated damage at 464 properties.
"It's gratifying to see that FEMA is helping people across the commonwealth who have experienced losses," said KYEM's Charlie Winter, state coordinating officer for this event. "We continue to do everything we can to assure that Kentuckians can apply for and receive assistance that enables them to rebuild their lives."
FEMA grants are not intended to restore individuals to their pre-disaster situation nor can they duplicate any benefits available from insurance or other sources. Their purpose is to pay for critical expenses when applicants lack other resources. Housing assistance grants help with repairing and rebuilding or rental expenses. FEMA also makes grants to meet other needs caused by the disaster, such as medical expenses, replacement of personal property or transportation.
Low-interest SBA disaster loans help homeowners, renters, non-farm businesses, and private non-profit organizations pay for repairing or replacing real or personal property destroyed or damaged by a presidentially declared disaster.
Below is a county-by-county summary of individual assistance approved through close of business March 21 for the 15 eligible counties.
Allen, Christian, Fayette, Hardin, Hart, Meade, Mercer, Monroe, and Muhlenberg counties were designated as eligible for assistance on Feb. 21. On March 5, Bath, Harrison, Hopkins, Nicholas, Shelby and Spencer counties were added.
| County | FEMA Applicants | Approved Grants | SBA Loans (No.) |
| Allen | 24 | $ 92,451 | - |
| Bath | 40 | $ 59,597 | $ 21,000 (3) |
| Christian | 48 | $ 100,992 | $ 244,400 (2) |
| Fayette | 80 | $ 7,328 | $ 21,100 (3) |
| Hardin | 84 | $ 76,389 | $ 216,100 (4) |
| Harrison | 39 | $ 41,843 | $ 663,300 (6) |
| Hart | 28 | $ 55,435 | $ 30,400 (2) |
| Hopkins | 17 | $ 58,039 | - |
| Meade | 87 | $ 69,372 | $ 143,400 (6) |
| Mercer | 95 | $ 7,617 | $ 34,600 (3) |
| Monroe | 72 | $ 202,304 | $ 16,600 (1) |
| Muhlenberg | 210 | $ 305,817 | $ 975,300 (13) |
| Nicholas | 17 | $ 41,899 | - |
| Shelby | 17 | $ 33,699 | $ 55,700 (3) |
| Spencer | 29 | $ 26,444 | - |
All figures are as of close of business March 21.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 26-Mar-2008 19:11:44