FEMA

The far western Kentucky city of Mayfield is getting additional funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cover debris removal costs associated with the December 2021 tornado outbreak.

Federal disaster assistance can be offered to individuals through the Small Business Administration, but many eastern Kentuckians recovering from the July 2022 floods don’t qualify. And many who do are hesitant to take on the loan.

Residents and some Letcher County officials say FEMA’s strict regulations about debris removal and infrastructure repair have left large piles of debris and unfinished work throughout Appalachian eastern Kentucky and may have contributed to the damage last weekend.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is continuing its efforts to help Kentucky recover from the historic and deadly western Kentucky tornado outbreak over a year after the disaster.

Two deadlines are looming for eastern Kentuckians this week, three months after devastating flooding.

As FEMA assistance hangs in the air for many survivors, it’s assuring for many to know that mutual aid groups in the region have their back, and that they’re not alone.

Over 400 travel trailers are heading for eastern Kentucky, where they will serve as temporary housing for flood survivors awaiting FEMA assistance to rebuild their homes.

Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on the ongoing recovery efforts in eastern Kentucky – as well as economic and public health updates for the whole state – during Thursday’s Team Kentucky update.

On the first day of the three-day special legislative session, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican leaders of the legislature announced a $213 million relief package for eastern Kentucky communities impacted by flooding.

After heavy flooding in eastern Kentucky, locals and officials are frustrated with the federal government’s system for disaster aid. People say the process is confusing, sending some of the most vulnerable through a bureaucratic maze, and sometimes requiring documentation lost during the catastrophe.