FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A federal disaster declaration has been approved for counties in Kentucky after storms hit the area on Memorial Day weekend in May of 2024.
PADUCAH, Ky. -- The National Weather Service has confirmed an additional two tornadoes struck the region on Sunday, May 26.Â
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated federal funding was approved and available for people who were affected by the storms in 15 counties.
Storms pushed through the Kentucky area on May 26, resulting in six lives lost.
Beshear declared a state of emergency and requested a federal disaster declaration which was approved by President Joe Biden on July 23.
Federal funding will be available for those 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,� Gov. 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.�
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, according to in the White House. The grants also include assistance with low-cost loans to cover property losses, along with other programs to help the affected people.
The briefing room in the White House also said the federal funding is also available to Commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides, and mudslides in the counties of 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, and Woodford.
Federal funding is also on hand on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire state.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at , 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.
