Kentucky Governor Appeals FEMA Denial of Public Assistance for Five Counties After Deadly June Floods
Frankfort — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear on October 16 wrote to David Arnot, acting associate administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), appealing President Donald Trump's denial of Public Assistance for five Kentucky counties hit by flooding and severe weather in June that killed six people.
In the letter, Beshear also asked FEMA to reconsider its blanket denial of Kentucky's inclusion in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, to add more counties to the Individuals and Households Assistance Program, and to adjust the incident period from the approved five days to the full June 17-30 span, consistent with the National Weather Service report.
The appeal asks that Bracken, Carroll, Grant, Pendleton and Trimble counties be added to both Public Assistance and the individual assistance programs, and that Bullitt, Clinton, Cumberland, Jackson, Madison, Marion and Meade counties be added to the Individuals and Households Program. Beshear said Public Assistance has been approved for 20 affected counties, but that recovery would exceed the affected counties' own capabilities without additional federal support.
The weather event ran from June 17 to June 30, bringing tornadoes, straight-line winds and widespread flooding that damaged homes, businesses, government facilities, roadways and utilities across Kentucky, killing six residents. Beshear requested a major disaster declaration on July 23 after the state completed a comprehensive damage assessment; in early September, his office announced Public Assistance approval for at least 20 counties, with the incident period limited to five days and the areas listed in the appeal letter excluded.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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