LEBURN, Ky. — Over two weeks after devastating floods rocked eastern Kentucky, people who live there are still filing for federal aid to rebuild. One of those is Floyd County resident Sharon Newsome.
What You Need To Know
- FEMA assistance is available for flood victims in eastern Kentucky
- Some are concerned about denied or not receiving enough help
- FEMA says they are committed to serving flood victims
- Mobile FEMA sites are open in several affected counties
Newsome was home alone when the flooding started and says she was able to get out on foot, escaping to higher ground while the water level kept rising.
“Before I knew it, the water was up into the house, probably at least two feet, and then eventually it got up four feet into my house,” Newsome said. “I lost everything. Our house is totally unlivable and everything was flooded and what isn’t, the house itself is unlivable now with the mold and it’s just falling apart.”
This week Newsome and her daughter traveled to the Knott County Sportsplex to speak with the Small Business Administration and pick up cleaning supplies.
“They generously gave us these clean up kits but I’m not taking anything I don’t need and I don’t want to use,” Newsome said.
Her story is sadly one now too common across this part of the state. With nowhere else to go, Newsome is currently staying at one of the state parks open to flood victims.
She’s also applied for FEMA help, and says her claim is to be processed in the coming days. She’s hopeful she’ll get approved.
“Lot of homes are inhabitable. You know, they are just not fixable. I do want to stay in my home place near my grandchildren and near my family,” Newsome said.
Newsome mentions she’d heard of some people being denied assistance. That concern was also brought up by Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday.
“Now is the time to get away from no no no, to helping the people who desperately need it. I believe this is the natural disaster where we are going to see, is FEMA going to get it right or is it going to be an example of where people are excited when they come in but even more deflated when they leave,” Gov. Beshear said Tuesday.
We asked FEMA about this and they say there are committed to serving flood victims.
“We are working closely with local and state partners to ensure that we help these survivors get back on their feet again and help them recover,” FEMA Spokesperson Briana Fenton said.
Fenton adds that if someone is denied aid or believed they should receive more, they have 60 days to make an appeal.
“When you appeal, you are going to need a reason why and you might also need some documentation to prove your why’s,” Fenton said.
For those hit hardest like Sharon Newsome, what’s left to do now is to stay hopeful and trust that help is on the way.
“I’m just praying that everything is going to work out, to where we can make our home livable again,” Newsome said.
Mobile FEMA centers have been set up across areas affected by the floods, officials with the federal government say if anyone has questions about their claims to reach out by visiting one of these sites or contacting FEMA by phone or online.