FEMA individual assistance approved in Kentucky for tornado-affected counties

LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — One week after an EF-4 tornado tore through southern Kentucky, there’s finally a glimmer of hope for those affected.

Governor Andy Beshear announced in a post on X on Friday night that there is some “good news.” FEMA Individual Assistance is now available for six counties, including Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell.

Individual assistance can cover a wide range of needs.

“Individual assistance includes things like loss of personal property, damage to your home, displacement assistance, and serious needs assistance, for example. These are just some of the many different types of assistance that people may be eligible for, depending on their situation, which everybody’s situation is unique,” said FEMA Public Information Officer Daniel Bernardy.

Currently, two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in Pulaski and Laurel counties. These centers are staffed by representatives from FEMA, the American Red Cross, the Small Business Administration, and other state agencies. They are all working together to meet with storm victims face-to-face and connect them with resources tailored to their needs.

“You really do have that face-to-face human connection, which will meet you with empathy. We’ll hear your story. And there’s something about that that’s different than just going online,” Bernardy told FOX 56.

Like he said, victims don’t have to physically come to the DRC in London or Somerset – they can also go to other DRCs still in place from previous disasters. They can go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA app, or call 800-621-FEMA (3362).

“This particular disaster recovery center could be here for a couple of weeks, or it could be for a couple of months. And it just depends. But one true thing is that FEMA will not make that decision alone. We do that with our county partners,” said Bernardy.

According to the FEMA website, new DRCs were established in the following locations for Laurel and Pulaski counties.

Laurel County:

Pulaski County:

Both Disaster Recovery Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays

After filling out the proper forms and providing all the necessary information, applicants will get a letter approving or denying their assistance. If you get a denial, Bernardy said not to lose hope. That denial could be reversed.

Bernardy told FOX 56, “It’s not necessarily the end of the road. Read that letter through top to bottom, inside out. We might just be missing a document. We might not have your contact information correct. Something might be off. We can maybe turn that denial into an approval.”

Denial appeals can be filed at a DRC, online, by mail, or by fax.

Officials are urging everyone impacted by the tornado to apply for assistance, no matter how big or small the loss.

There is help waiting; you just need to take the first step.