disaster
Biden approves major disaster declaration for May tornado, severe weather outbreaks?
President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster declaration for Kentucky counties hit by a deadly tornado outbreak and other severe weather in May, opening up applications for individual Kentuckians to apply for federal aid.? A release Wednesday from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that federal funding, including money for temporary housing and […]
Beshear gives update on how Kentuckians can get assistance for severe weather damage
Gov. Andy Beshear gave updates on how Kentuckians affected by recent severe weather can receive assistance and how damages are being assessed.? In his weekly press conference, Beshear said Louisville Metro Emergency Services is working with local government officials and first responders to assess damage and assist victims of an EF-1 tornado that hit Jefferson […]
Nonprofits team with state, federal governments to tackle housing shortage in Eastern Kentucky
A religiously oriented group using volunteers from many states is doing much of the housing recovery work in flood-ravaged Eastern Kentucky. The Appalachia Service Project has completed 24 new homes and fully repaired 40 more for flood survivors in Breathitt, Harlan, Knott, Leslie, Magoffin and Perry counties since the flood two years ago.? ASP has […]
Eastern Kentuckian who lost his wife, house in 2022 flood grateful for new home on high ground
Farmer Baker was holding on for his life, clutching a pair of post hole diggers, on the night of July 27-28, 2022, as part of Eastern Kentucky’s record flooding swept through his garage on Lower River Caney in Breathitt County. He had already watched the waters sweep away his wife, Vanessa, the only one of […]
States beg insurers not to drop climate-threatened homes
In the coming years, climate change could force Americans from their homes, not just by raising sea levels, worsening wildfires and causing floods — but also by putting insurance coverage out of reach. In places including California, Florida and Louisiana, some homeowners are finding it nearly impossible to find an insurance company that will cover […]
Kentucky investing $223 million to rebuild rental housing in tornado-impacted Western Kentucky?
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear alongside leaders from the state’s housing corporation and local communities on Monday announced more than $223 million in bonds and grants will be invested to replenish rental housing in Bowling Green and other Western Kentucky communities impacted by tornadoes.? Much of the region’s rental housing stock, particularly homes accessible to low-income […]
No guarantee of federal aid for latest survivors in tornado-struck Western Kentucky
HOPKINS COUNTY — Raymond Emery has spent the past few nights leaning back in the front seat of his green minivan to stay close to his chickens and dogs. They’re among his few remaining possessions after a powerful EF-3 tornado, winds reaching 160 mph, ripped through his rented trailer the evening of May 26. One […]
Storms bring ‘hornet in the belly’ to Kentuckians who have lived through weather disasters
The storms that swept through Kentucky over Memorial Day weekend can be triggering and compound trauma for those who have lived through bad weather before, mental health experts say.? Danelle Sams, a therapist and the director of Four Rivers Behavioral Health’s Mayfield Office, the William H. Fuller Center, said many locals in West Kentucky already […]
Grim toll tallied again after weekend tornado tears through some places hit in 2021
Sitting on her front porch surrounded by tornado damage, Tabatha Adams never imagined being on the other side of disaster recovery.? As the former president of her local Rotary Club, she helped her neighbors when Dawson Springs grappled with the devastating aftermath of an EF-4 tornado in December 2021. The Western Kentucky city of about […]
Biden issues major disaster declaration for 11 Kentucky counties after April storms
President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for 11 Kentucky counties affected by recent severe storms in April.? Federal assistance will supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas “ affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides, and mudslides on April 2, 2024,” a White House press release said.? Federal funding will be […]
10 homes dedicated in Mayfield for tornado survivors
Ten families who survived the 2021 tornadoes in Mayfield received keys to new homes on Friday thanks to $1 million from the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, Gov. Andy Beshear’s office announced.? The Hope Initiative, a coalition of local pastors and businesses, partnered to build these homes and others — a total of 42 […]
Beshear confirms one weather-related death, renews criticism of GOP limits on emergency spending
Gov. Andy Beshear said a Kenton County resident died in a car accident as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes that swept Kentucky Tuesday, while emergency management officials have reported no other major injuries or deaths. Beshear in a Wednesday news conference praised emergency management officials, first responders and utility workers for their […]