Centers help families affected by flooding apply for federal assistance
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 28, 2025) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced that FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open in eight of the first 13 counties approved for Individual Assistance for April’s floods.
Families in the first 13 counties approved for Individual Assistance – Anderson, Butler, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jessamine, McCracken, Mercer, Owen and Woodford – can visit any DRC for recovery assistance and to apply for federal aid. All 13 counties are expected to have a DRC by April 30.
Click here to view the hours and locations of the Disaster Recovery Centers. The centers are opening following President Donald Trump’s partial approval of the Governor’s April 11 request for a Major Disaster Declaration.
“We are grateful to be working with FEMA to open these centers in each of the declared counties,” Gov. Beshear said. “These centers allow our families that have already been through so much the opportunity to talk directly with an expert who will help them start their recovery and rebuilding process.”
The Governor will request that additional counties be added to the declaration through an amendment once ongoing assessments are complete. The Governor’s requests for Public Assistance for 33 counties and hazard mitigation for the entire state are still pending.
How to Apply: Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or other similar service, can give FEMA the number for that service.
When applying for assistance, make sure:
- You apply for the correct declaration (April Flood DR-4864).
- You upload your documents online via the FEMA App or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Your damaged home is your primary residence.
- You haven’t received assistance for the same losses from another source, including insurance.
- You are able to be reached by FEMA at the contact information you provide in the application.
If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you may appeal:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- In person at a Disaster Recovery Centers, which will open in coming days.
- Or by mail or fax.
As the rains led to widespread flooding, Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency and activated the State Emergency Operations Center and the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the severe weather. The price gouging prohibition was renewed April 17.
Following the storms, the Governor urged local officials to start the federal Individual Assistance and Public Assistance damage assessments and asked Kentuckians who experienced storm damage to take photographs before cleaning up and to report the damages to their local emergency management officials.
How To Help: The Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund was established after the severe weather in February and will serve survivors of that and additional natural disasters. As with previous relief funds, these dollars will first help pay for victims’ funeral expenses. To donate, click here.
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