FRANKFORT, Ky. — Federal emergency officials have expanded the number of flood-stricken counties in eastern Kentucky that are eligible for individual assistance. 

What You Need To Know

  • Now aid is available for those in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Pike counties

  • The expansion came at the request of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear

  • The governor encouraged individuals to reach out as soon as possible, as the process can take some time

  • Thousands are still without power, water and cell phone service

The Federal Emergency Management Agency previously added Floyd and Pike counties to the list, Gov. Andy Beshear's office said. The expansion was made at Beshear's request.

The number of counties grew again Thursday when Owsley County was added to the list approved for individual assistance, the governor's office said.

The assistance is available for renters and homeowners in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Pike counties. It applies to people affected by severe storms, flooding and mudslides that began July 26. They may apply for individual disaster assistance by applying online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362).

“I would strongly encourage people, because this is a tougher process than it should be, to actually go in and talk to someone,” Beshear said. “We have been promised mobile folks on the ground will be going neighborhood to neighborhood in the near future to document people’s losses.”

Torrential rains and flash flooding devastated several counties in eastern Kentucky beginning July 26. The following day, Beshear declared a statewide emergency, freeing up state funds and other forms of aid, as well as directed state agencies to coordinate efforts across federal, state, local and non-profit entities. That was followed by a federal declaration of emergency by the Biden administration on July 28. 

Thousands are still without power, water and cell phone service. Water has especially become a needed commodity, with the National Guard being deployed to deliver 11,600 cases of water on Thursday. To make matters worse, the devastating floods have been followed by an extreme heat wave, meaning clean drinking water is all the more critical. 

As of Thursday, the death toll from the historic flood remains at 37, according to Beshear. Search-and-rescue teams have made an estimated 1,300 rescues and are still trying to reach stranded victims. 

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