Kentucky counties that took damage in storms back in mid-February are getting some help. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that President Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for 22 counties. Many of these counties are in the eastern part of the commonwealth.
Kim Fuller is the spokesperson for the Kentucky FEMA office. She said this public assistance can go a long way for these communities.
“State and local governments can help rebuild their infrastructure, which is probably the most costly during a disaster. That can mean water treatment plants, that could mean roads, it could be schools, public buildings.”
She said this is not the only kind of help they could be getting.
“All these counties in the commonwealth are eligible for hazard mitigation money, which is essentially funding that helps you rebuild back better, so that the next time you have a flood or some kind of severe storm, the structure might be able to withstand what normally would harm it.”
Fuller said communities have around 30 days to apply for public assistance.
The following counties are covered under the declaration:
Bell, Breathitt, Caldwell, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Harlan, Hart, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Whitley and Wolfe counties.
** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
