FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., announced President Joe Biden has approved a federal disaster declaration request for the severe storms that hit Kentucky over Memorial Day weekend and took the lives of six Kentuckians.

What You Need To Know

  • The White House approved Kentucky for a federal disaster declaration request

  • Severe storms hit the state over Memorial Day weekend, taking the lives of six Kentuckians

  • The approval makes federal funding available to those affected in Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Clay, Greenup, Hopkins, Knox, Logan, Muhlenberg, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren and Whitley counties

  • Gov. Andy Beshear made the request for the declaration in June

The governor made the request for the declaration in June. The approval makes federal funding available to those affected in Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Clay, Greenup, Hopkins, Knox, Logan, Muhlenberg, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren and Whitley counties.

“We are once again thankful to President Biden and his administration for approving this funding. This support will be a big help for our families as they recover and rebuild from yet another terrible storm,” Beshear said. “As always, we saw our first responders and everyday Kentuckians rally to help each other in those toughest of moments, and that is why I am so proud to be governor of this great commonwealth.”

The White House said assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help residents and business owners recover from the storms.

Eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations can use federal funding on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair and replacement of facilities damaged by storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides in the following counties:

  • Adair 
  • Allen
  • Ballard
  • Barren
  • Breckinridge
  • Butler, Caldwell
  • Calloway
  • Carlisle
  • Christian
  • Clay
  • Clinton 
  • Crittenden
  • Cumberland
  • Edmonson
  • Estill
  • Fulton
  • Garrard
  • Graves
  • Grayson
  • Green
  • Hart
  • Hickman
  • Hopkins
  • Jackson
  • Knox
  • LaRue
  • Laurel
  • Lee
  • Leslie
  • Livingston
  • Logan
  • Lyon
  • Marshall
  • McCracken
  • McCreary
  • McLean
  • Meade
  • Menifee
  • Metcalfe
  • Monroe
  • Muhlenberg
  • Ohio
  • Owsley
  • Pulaski
  • Rockcastle
  • Russell
  • Simpson
  • Todd
  • Trigg
  • Warren
  • Washington 
  • Wayne
  • Whitley
  • Woodford

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for “hazard mitigation measures” for the entire state, according to Beshear’s office.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or other similar service, can give FEMA the number for that service. 

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