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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
President Grants Disaster Declaration Requested by Governor Beshear
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear has been notified that President Barack Obama has approved his request for a major disaster declaration for Kentucky. The Governor had requested assistance for seven Eastern Kentucky counties after severe storms, high winds and flooding swept through the region last month. This marks the tenth federally-declared disaster in Kentucky since 2008.
Seven counties were granted Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation: Bell, Breathitt, Knott, Knox, Lee, Magoffin, and Perry. Gov. Beshear also requested Individual Assistance, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, and Small Business Administration disaster loans, which are still under review.
“I am pleased that the White House responded to my request to help Kentuckians recover from this disaster,” said Gov. Beshear. “Once again, we moved quickly to help get our communities the assistance they need to repair and rebuild after these devastating storms and floods.”
Beginning June 19, severe thunderstorms rolled through multiple Eastern Kentucky counties, causing flash flooding, hail, and high winds which caused damage to public and private property. One death was attributed to the storms.
Gov. Beshear immediately requested joint federal, state, and local surveys of the damaged areas. Evaluation teams estimated public sector damages are in excess of $5.7 million. Teams also identified more than 350 homes and 65 businesses which were heavily damaged or destroyed.
This is the second major disaster declaration Gov. Beshear requested this year. Severe storms and flooding across the state in May caused evacuations and significant property damage, particularly in western Kentucky.
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