KY Gov. Beshear gives update on response to recent severe storms
(KBSI) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear provided an update Thursday on the state’s ongoing response to recent severe weather events.
Severe storms swept western Kentucky on May 26. In total, 15 tornadoes touched down. Their paths of destruction covered 162.42 miles and stretched across 19 counties in Kentucky.
Five people died related to the storms. The deaths occurred in Louisville and in Caldwell, Hardin, Hopkins and Mercer counties.
There have been $50,000 in private donations, including $40,000 from an anonymous donor and $10,000 from the Kentucky Distiller’s Association, to cover the funeral costs for the five Kentuckians who died.
Pennyrile State Park is currently sheltering nine households consisting of 38 Kentuckians. Barren River State Park is sheltering one household of two people.
Staff from Kentucky Emergency Management and FEMA have begun assessing damages to determine if this event could be eligible for a federal disaster declaration.
In May, Gov. Beshear announced that a federal disaster declaration was approved by President Joe Biden following the 19 tornadoes that swept across the commonwealth April 2-3.
Since then, FEMA has processed 252 applications in the 11 declared counties and has dispersed just over $278,000 in federal aid for Individual Assistance.
FEMA established three Disaster Recovery Centers in Boyd, Fayette and Henry counties, where affected people can visit face-to-face with FEMA staff, apply for aid, ask questions and receive updates on their cases. Find a location near you.
The Small Business Adminstration also has representatives at Disaster Recovery Centers and opened two Business Recovery Centers for the first time in Kentucky. They are in Jefferson and Jessamine counties. Survivors can apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, using the FEMA app, or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
