LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has called on President Donald Trump to expand the state’s disaster declaration, urging the inclusion of additional counties that were severely impacted by the historic flooding earlier this month. The request aims to provide more residents with access to crucial federal recovery funds.
Beshear is seeking to add 16 counties to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) individual assistance program, which helps homeowners rebuild after natural disasters. The counties include Jefferson, Meade, Trimble, and Bullitt, all located along the Ohio River. These counties would join 13 others that were approved for federal aid following Trump’s declaration last Friday. Among the counties already included is Hardin County, located to the south of Louisville.
“These funds are crucial in helping our families and communities rebuild, and we are planning to add even more counties later this week,” Beshear said in a statement. “We are committed to making sure our families get the help they need.”
FEMA’s individual assistance program offers support ranging from temporary housing grants to funds for replacing damaged personal property. The program is a lifeline for thousands of residents who have been displaced or lost their homes due to the floodwaters.
As of Monday, FEMA reported that more than $334,000 had already been distributed to survivors in the 13 counties included in the initial declaration. While the registration process is still in its early stages, the funds are expected to grow as more residents apply for aid.
The devastating flooding that began in early April was among the worst the region has seen in years. The Ohio River crested at 36.63 feet at Louisville’s McAlpine Upper gauge, making it one of the top 10 worst floods in the city’s history. The floods claimed at least seven lives in Kentucky, according to Governor Beshear’s office, and left a trail of destruction in their wake.
The latest disaster declaration marks the second time this year that President Trump has approved federal aid for Kentucky. In February, the president signed off on a declaration for several counties affected by severe weather, including straight-line winds, flooding, and mudslides.
Beshear’s office had initially requested the inclusion of additional counties in the February declaration, but those requests were denied. The governor’s latest push for federal assistance is aimed at ensuring that as many flood survivors as possible receive the support they need to recover.
“We will continue working with FEMA and other federal agencies to ensure all affected Kentuckians have access to the help they need,” Beshear said.
As the state grapples with the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster, the need for federal assistance remains critical for the thousands of families and communities working to rebuild their lives.
