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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Kentucky Receives Additional Federal Funding For May Flooding Disaster
FRANKFORT, Ky.– Governor Steve Beshear announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will increase its funding to the Commonwealth in support of the May flooding and severe storms federal disaster.
FEMA is amending the standard cost-share arrangement for disaster assistance Under the new agreement, the Public Assistance Program is expanding to 90 percent of total eligible costs to help pay for emergency measures and to repair, restore or replace public facilities damaged or destroyed by the May severe storms, flooding and mudslides.
Under the typical cost-share program, FEMA Public Assistance funds 75 percent of the cost for eligible work by state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations that provide public services. The remaining 25 percent non-federal share comes from state and local sources. The state manages the grants for all projects.
“Kentucky certainly has had more than its share of natural disasters, and that has created a significant financial burden not only for the state but also for our local communities,” said Gov. Beshear. “The increase in cost-sharing to the state and local governments is truly appreciated and will make the recovery efforts much easier during these trying economic times.”
Public Assistance funding, on a cost-share basis, can reimburse communities for emergency work associated with the disaster and to repair or replace flood-damaged infrastructure. Eligible projects fall into the categories of debris removal; emergency protective measures; road systems and bridges; water control facilities; public buildings and contents; public utilities; and parks and recreation.
To date, FEMA, working with local officials and KYEM, has identified 1,803 possible repair or replacement projects associated with the spring floods with an estimated value of $37.6 million.
For additional information on this and other Kentucky disasters, please visit www.kyem.ky.gov .
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