President Obama Approves Public Disaster Assistance Relief In 22 Kentucky Counties

Individual Assistance In 4 Counties

May 29, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear late today announced that President Obama had granted his request for pubic disaster assistance for 22 counties rocked earlier this month by massive storms and flooding.

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In addition, the President approved four counties for individual assistance.

“We are pleased that President Obama has issued this disaster declaration and look forward to quickly receiving the assistance people are entitled to in Kentucky,” Gov. Beshear said. “We have been working day and night with the federal government to get this declaration issued and now look forward to ensuring that the assistance is forthcoming as so many of our people work to rebuild their lives and their homes.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Breathitt, Floyd, Owsley, and Pike.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, and mudslides in the counties of Ballard, Breathitt, Carlisle, Clay, Crittenden, Floyd, Grayson, Hickman, Jackson, Knott, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Madison, Magoffin, Marshall, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Russell, and Trigg.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire Commonwealth.

Gov. Beshear and administration officials have been in constant contact with FEMA, Department of Homeland Security officials and the White House regarding the request for assistance. Gov. Beshear, in fact, talked twice with the White House today, including a late afternoon call with Ron Klain, chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden.

“At each step, I was assured that our request for disaster assistance – both for state and local governments and for individuals who qualify – was being processed as quickly as possible,” Gov. Beshear said. “I know the concern and frustration people feel when confronted by such circumstances. But I am hopeful that the federal assistance will provide a sense of relief and support to Kentuckians impacted by these terrible storms.”

In the meantime, state and local relief efforts in the affected areas are continuing. Current relief efforts include:

* Shelters that initially were open throughout the region are now inactive because they are no long needed, but the roving stations operated by the Red Cross and other local organizations continue to be work.

* Thirty Guardsmen maintain their mission in Breathitt County. The state is beginning to identify locations for Disaster Relief Centers so people who are eligible in designated counties can apply for individual assistance

* In the area of housing, emergency management people and FEMA are coordinating efforts along with local, state and other federal officials. They are working with the Kentucky Housing Cooperation (KHC), Local Housing Authority, HUD and others, to provide housing. KHC has provided state emergency officials with a list of housing and service providers in the affected areas that work with KHC.

* KHC officials also are encouraging people to visit their Kentucky Rents Web site, which lists area rental vacancies. KHC also has information on its Web site about the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) provided through their HOME Program. TBRA provides rental assistance for up to two years for families that qualify based on income qualify, 80 percent or below of area median income. To find information about rental assistance available through KHC, visit http://www.kyhousing.org/. Additionally, the Christian Appalachian Project will receive a $20,000 grant from KHC to assist affected families with their housing needs.

Source: Kentucky Governor