President Obama signs Kentucky disaster declaration

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTVQ) – The President declared a major disaster exists in Kentucky Wednesday, and ordered federal aid to supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms in July.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Carter, Johnson, Rowan, and Trimble.  Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms.  That funding is available in the counties of Bracken, Breathitt, Carroll, Carter, Clay, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, Magoffin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Perry, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Spencer, Trimble, Washington, and Wolfe

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the commonwealth and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance Thursday by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.