Kentucky: SBA Disaster Loans Approved for 19 Counties Hit by June Floods and Tornadoes
Gov. Andy Beshear announced on October 27 that his request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration has been approved, opening SBA disaster loan applications to homeowners, businesses and nonprofit organizations in 19 Kentucky counties affected by June's flooding, tornadoes and severe weather.
The covered counties are Adair, Bullitt, Clark, Clinton, Cumberland, Estill, Fayette, Garrard, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jessamine, Madison, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nelson, Rockcastle, Russell and Spencer. The weather event began June 17 and continued through June 30, with tornadoes, straight-line winds and widespread flooding damaging homes, businesses, government facilities, roadways and utilities. Six Kentuckians lost their lives. The deadline to apply for a physical damage loan is December 28, 2026, and the deadline for an economic injury loan is July 26, 2027. Applications can be submitted online through the MySBA Loan Portal, and the SBA disaster assistance customer service center can be reached at 800-659-2955.
"This severe weather event impacted so many communities across the commonwealth, with businesses that support local economies and jobs suffering damage from widespread flooding, tornadoes and more," Beshear said. "This assistance is essential to helping these folks recover, and I am grateful that my request was approved. I encourage those affected by these storms, between the approved dates of June 18 and June 27, to apply."
The Governor's Office also noted that earlier this month Beshear wrote to David Arnot, acting associate administrator for FEMA, appealing President Trump's denial of Public Assistance for five additional counties, urging FEMA to reconsider its denial of the state's inclusion in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, asking for more counties to be added to the Individuals and Households Assistance Program, and requesting the incident period be adjusted to June 17 to 30 per the National Weather Service report. In early September, Public Assistance was approved for at least 20 counties, but with the incident period limited to five days. The Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund was established to serve survivors of severe weather events and natural disasters, with dollars first helping pay for victims' funeral expenses.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 肯塔基州洪灾后的房屋损坏（资料图）。FEMA公共领域照片，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Storm damage to a home in Kentucky (file photo). FEMA public domain photo, via Wikimedia Commons.
