FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved over $20.8 million for the state of Kentucky to reimburse its Division of Emergency Management (KYEM).

The money will pay back the cost of emergency protective measures taken following the 2022 Eastern Kentucky Floods.

Severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides deposited debris throughout Kentucky, creating an immediate threat to the health and safety of the public and to property.

KYEM used contractors to remove debris throughout Eastern Kentucky. Approximately 813 tons of vegetative debris, 102,660 tons of construction and demolition debris, 1,764 tons of white goods debris and 298 tons of E-waste debris were removed from roads and public property, including right of ways.

The reimbursement is made possible through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It will cover 100% of eligible costs for work conducted during a continuous 30-day period within the first 120 days of the disaster declaration.