Gov. Beshear: Expedited Major Disaster Declaration Issued for Kentucky Following February Flooding
Federal funding will include individual and public assistance
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that President Donald Trump has approved his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, which includes public assistance for local governments and individual assistance for Kentuckians in the 10 counties affected by the most recent storms.
Those counties are Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike. Additional designations and counties may be added at a later date if warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
The Governor requested the assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last week and traveled to the White House on Friday to push for the additional aid. Today, the President approved the request. The approval makes immediate-need and cleaning and sanitizing money open to those who qualify.
“We are thankful to President Trump and his administration for approving this funding. This support will be a big help for our families and communities as they recover and rebuild from yet another terrible storm,” Gov. Beshear said. “During these tough times we see why Kentuckians are so special – we rally together to help each other, and I am so proud to be Governor of this great commonwealth. Just like before, we will get through this – together. And I promise that we will be there as long as it takes – until every life and structure is rebuilt.”
Federal funding is also available to 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 flooding in the 10 counties.
Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire state.
Jeremy Slinker, former director of Kentucky Emergency Management who currently serves as a coordinating officer for FEMA, has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
How to Apply: Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties 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.
When applying for assistance, make sure:
- You upload your documents online via the FEMA App or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Your damaged home is your primary residence.
- You haven’t received assistance for the same losses from another source, including insurance.
- You are able to be reached by FEMA at the contact information you provide in the application.
If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you may appeal:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- In person at a Disaster Recovery Centers, which will open in coming days.
- Or by mail or fax.
Following the storms, the Governor urged local officials to start the federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance damage assessments and asked Kentuckians who experienced storm damage to take photographs before cleaning up and to report the damages to their local emergency management officials.
Last week, the Governor also thanked property valuation administrators for their assistance in determining the number of properties within the flooded areas and their assessed values, and the building locations within those properties. This information is crucial to helping the state secure financial assistance from FEMA.
Prior to devastating floods brought on by a severe weather system and subsequent below-freezing temperatures, the combination of which has taken the lives of 22 Kentuckians, Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency and has since received a federal disaster declaration by President Trump.
Gov. Beshear also activated the State Emergency Operations Center and activated the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the severe weather.
On Feb. 17, the Governor surveyed flood damage in Eastern Kentucky, visited families affected by the storms and held a press conference with local officials.
How To Help: The Governor launched the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. To donate, click here. The fund had raised $300,689 as of Monday morning from 3,100 generous donors. These dollars will first help pay for each victim’s funeral.
Gov. Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear are encouraging Kentuckians to donate blood, and they hosted a blood drive in the State Capitol Rotunda on Monday, Feb. 24. Kentuckians can find links to additional opportunities to give blood here.
The Governor provided his latest update on the state’s response to February’s severe weather Monday morning. To watch, click here.
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Gov. Beshear Provides Update on Severe Weather Response
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on the state’s response to severe winter weather that has now claimed the lives of 22 Kentuckians.
The Governor said the commonwealth is still waiting on the federal government to approve his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, which would make individual and public assistance funding available to affected families and communities.
“This has been a tough nine or 10 days, and we are hoping the federal government will come through for us by approving funding to help our families and communities recover,” Gov. Beshear said. “As we wait, I want you all to know that you have my promise: I’ll do everything I can to help. And we’ll do everything we can to rebuild just as quickly as we can.”
FEMA: Last week, the Governor applied to federal Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump for individual and public assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This would help communities recover and provide money for immediate needs for individuals who qualify, as well as more funds for longer-term individual recovery. The maximum grant award is $43,600.
Last week, Gov. Beshear also sent a letter thanking Kentucky’s federal delegation for supporting his request to the President for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration. Today, the Governor added that he traveled to the White House on Friday and spoke with the deputy chief of staff to President Trump and the acting director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development about approving the request.
Fatalities: The Governor reported that the number of fatalities tied to the flooding and freezing temperatures has increased to 22 Kentuckians. The latest confirmed fatality was a man in Marshall County who died due to hypothermia.
How To Help: The Governor launched the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. To donate, click here. As of this morning, the fund has raised $300,689 from 3,100 generous donors. These dollars will first help pay for each victim’s funeral. Gov. Beshear also encouraged Kentuckians to sign up to give blood at governor.ky.gov/GiveBlood. Today, he and the First Lady joined state employees and Frankfort residents to donate blood in the State Capitol Rotunda.
Transportation Update: State highway closures have decreased to 89, which includes 10 from mudslides and rockslides. High water is still affecting travel, primarily in Western and Southern Kentucky. Road damage across the state has many highways reduced to one lane, especially in southeastern counties. State highway crews and engineering teams continue to respond and assess damage, committed to restoring roads to full service as quickly as possible.
Closures and traffic conditions are available online at GoKY.ky.gov. Motorists are cautioned to never drive through high water, do not pass road closed signs and heed all warning signs and temporary traffic signals.
Kentucky National Guard: In Eastern Kentucky, guardsmen are supporting debris removal in Breathitt, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Martin, Perry and Pike counties. They will also be transporting critical supplies from distribution centers in Martin and Pike counties. These missions are critical to ensuring Kentuckians get lifesaving supplies.
Kentucky State Police: Kentucky State Police troopers are assisting homeowners impacted by the flooding by delivering supplies, portable heaters, generators, water and food. State police are also providing extra night patrols to the area to address any security concerns.
Fish and Wildlife: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife game wardens have continued working to deliver much needed food, water and supplies to Kentuckians affected by the floods. Wardens have used boats and off-road vehicles to deliver many supplies in the Feds Creek and Virgie areas of Pike County. In Leslie County, they are transporting utility company workers to areas inaccessible by vehicle so they can reconnect services such as power, telephone and internet. In the Confluence area, wardens took a generator by boat to a substation for the telephone company to get the station back in operation. They have also taken emergency management personnel out on boats to begin the damage assessment in the Confluence and Dry Hill areas.
Red Cross: Ten days since massive flood waters devastated communities in Eastern Kentucky, the American Red Cross is still on the ground helping those impacted by this life-altering event. The Red Cross will be providing information within the next 24 hours regarding individual financial assistance on how those impacted by this disaster can access funding. The Red Cross provides financial assistance to help residents transition from our shelters to more sustainable living situations.
To support Red Cross Disaster Relief operations, go to redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Urban Search and Rescue: Kentucky’s urban search and rescue team is running a logistics staging area. They are bringing in trailer loads of supplies and distributing them to the counties in need. There are no other urban search and rescue teams working any active mission in Kentucky.
Power Outages: As of 9 a.m. Monday, a reported 352 customers were without power. This is down from a peak outage of 43,124 on Feb. 16.
Drinking Water: As of 9 a.m. Monday
- Roughly 2,327 customers were without water.
- 42,327 customers were under boil water advisories.
- All water systems were online, 16 systems were under limited operations.
Wastewater: As of 9 a.m. Monday
- All wastewater systems are operational.
- 15 wastewater systems were under limited operation.
- Two wastewater plants were experiencing bypasses, and eight systems were discharging from collection area.
Skyview Funding: Last week, Gov. Beshear announced that $6 million from Kentucky’s Disaster Recovery Program is going to the Housing Development Alliance to build 32 homes at the Skyview high-ground neighborhood in Perry County. Flood survivors of the 2022 and 2025 floods are encouraged to go to HousingCantWait.org.
State Funds: Gov. Beshear said his administration is already working with the state legislature to set up a pool of funding to help with long-term recovery efforts similar to the West Kentucky and East Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies, or SAFE, funds. Gov. Beshear said the first calls with legislators have gone well.
Kentucky State Parks: Kentucky State Parks is sheltering 253 people at six state resort parks, occupying 95 rooms.
- Buckhorn Lake: 46 adults, 18 children
- Cumberland Falls: five adults, three children
- Jenny Wiley: 104 adults, 33 children
- Lake Barkley: 11 adults, two children
- Natural Bridge: 20 adults, 10 children
- Pine Mountain: one adult
The Governor said more rooms are open and available if needed.
Emergency Shelters: Click here and navigate to the “Emergency Shelters” tab for an up-to-date list of shelter locations.
At the end of last week, the Governor said the state was moving from the search-and-rescue phase to the stabilization phase.
The Governor continues to thank first responders, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet workers, as well as local police, fire and emergency managers, other states, volunteers, donors and so many more who have helped respond.
On Feb. 14, ahead of the heavy rains, the Governor declared a state of emergency. On Feb. 15, Gov. Beshear requested, and President Donald Trump granted, an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky.
Drivers are urged to check traffic conditions before traveling at GoKy.ky.gov.
For preparedness tips, visit kyem.ky.gov.
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