During his Team Kentucky update on Thursday morning, Governor Andy Beshear discussed the state’s latest challenge, detailing efforts to obtain federal assistance in response to the recent flooding impacting most of the Commonwealth.
According to Gov. Beshear, the recent flooding is the 14th federally declared disaster Kentucky has encountered over the last five and a half years. He said a Major Disaster Declaration from President Trump was requested on Friday and they are awaiting approval.
click to download audioIn his request, Beshear said that they initially sought Individual Assistance to provide immediate financial support to those affected by the flooding in specific counties, covering expenses like cleaning supplies and offering up to a little over $40,000 for rebuilding, based on individual applications. Additionally, he stated that they requested Public Assistance to aid cities and counties in their recovery efforts, along with Federal Assistance.
click to download audioGov. Beshear also stated that Hazard Mitigation has been requested for the entire commonwealth. He clarified that this request covers only the initial group of counties affected by the flooding, with plans to include additional counties later.
click to download audioAccording to Beshear, he has already had conversations with FEMA’s leadership to let them know this is going to be a very large endeavor, with Disaster Recovery Centers in dozens of counties. He said they are also aware if the president signs off on the Disaster Declaration that more counties will be added.
In other updates, the governor reported that around 3,035 meters are without power across the state, one water system is non-operational, another is operating at limited capacity, and 854 households are under boil water advisories.
He stated that the Urban Search and Rescue Teams, which had been prepositioned across Kentucky, have now been demobilized after saving many lives.
click to download audioGov. Beshear also announced that the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund will cover the funeral expenses for the seven Kentuckians who lost their lives in the flooding.
