Congressman Barr Visits Areas Impacted by Kentucky Flooding

Kentucky Federal Assistance for Winter Ice Storms and Flooding

FEMA Extends Deadline for Federal Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline for severe-storm survivors to register for help. The deadline to apply is now July 8.

Kentucky counties eligible for FEMA assistance are Anderson, Breathitt, Boyd, Clark, Clay, Estill, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Greenup, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Warren and Woodford.

The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov.

If it is not possible to register online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

Assistance is available in-person at Individual Assistance Registration Support Centers. Kentuckians can visit any centers in the state, not just the county they live in.

Open Wednesday to Friday, June 16–18:

        • Clay County Community Center: 311 Highway 638, Manchester, KY 40962

Open Thursday to Saturday, June 17–19:

        • Floyd County Community Center: 7199 Kentucky Highway 80, Langley, KY 41645
        • Lee County Community Center: 500 Happy Top Road, Beattyville, KY 41311

Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Locations, dates, and times of the registration at support centers are subject to change based on needs or circumstances. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or log onto one of the links below to check availability.

You should have the following information available to register:

  • Address of the damaged primary dwelling where damage occurred;
  • Current mailing address;
  • Current telephone number;
  • Social Security number;
  • Your insurance information;
  • Total household annual income;
  • Routing and account numbers for checking or savings accounts so FEMA may directly transfer disaster assistance funds; and
  • A general description of disaster damage and losses.

For more information on Kentucky’s disaster recovery, visit https://kyem.ky.gov

and www.fema.gov/disaster/4595. You may also follow FEMA on www.facebook.com/fema and Twitter @FEMARegion4.

Kentucky’s Federal Disaster Declaration Request for Severe Flooding is Approved

The Commonwealth was approved for a federal disaster declaration for severe flooding that impacted communities throughout Kentucky from February 27 to March 14. 

Sixth District residents in Anderson, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Powell and Woodford counties are now eligible for individual assistance (IA) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  You can read more about FEMA’s IA program here.  

FEMA Public Assistance (PA) will be provided to these counties as well.  PA is directly provided to funds are awarded to government entities and private nonprofits.  You can read more about FEMA’s PA program here.

Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made low-interest loans available to small businesses in the counties listed above.  Click one of the links below to learn more about these loan programs. 

Congressman Barr strongly supported and advocated for the approvals of Kentucky’s federal disaster requests in letters to U.S. President Joe Biden.   

The Commonwealth Receives Federal Disaster Declaration for February Ice Storms

On April 1, the Commonwealth was approved for a federal disaster declaration for ice storms that hit the Commonwealth from February 8 to February 19.  Congressman Barr advocated for the approval of this declaration in a letter to President Joe Biden.

“I have seen firsthand the resilience of my fellow Kentuckians as so many of my constituents battled ice storms and floods over the last month,” said Congressman Barr.  “When I visited counties impacted by these severe weather events, I promised my constituents that I would fight for federal resources to assist in the recovery efforts. 

“Today, President Biden approved the first of two disaster declaration requests.  This will provide much needed relief for communities in my District and around the Commonwealth that were impacted by the February ice storms,” Barr continued.  “As soon as the Commonwealth submits a request for a federal disaster designation for the recent floods, I plan on fully supporting and advocating for that request as well.  In the meantime, my Office is always a resource for constituents who need help and I will continue to travel to impacted communities to assist in the recovery efforts.”

Bath, Clark, Estill, Fleming, Madison, Menifee, Montgomery, Nicholas, Powell, and Wolfe Counties in the Sixth Congressional District will now receive federal resources to aide in the recovery efforts from these ice storms.  

Congressman Barr Visits Areas Damaged by Flooding

Congressman Barr also visited Clark, Powell and Estill Counties shortly after the flooding occurred. Congressman Barr is pictured above speaking with constituents and local leaders about the recovery efforts.

Congressman Andy Barr Statement on Kentucky Floods

U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) released the following statement on Wednesday, March 3, in response to flooding throughout parts of the Sixth District and Kentucky:

“My prayers are with residents in the Sixth District and throughout Kentucky battling damaging floods.  I am working with my colleagues in the Kentucky Congressional Delegation to advocate for the approval of Kentucky’s federal disaster declaration request. 

“This disaster declaration would trigger federal resources for impacted areas and support in the recovery.  In the meantime, my office will continue working with local leaders and be available for Kentuckians who need help.  I also want to thank all first responders currently providing assistance to Kentuckians on the frontlines.”

Kentucky Counties impacted by flooding are currently in the process of assessing damages from the flooding.  Once they complete their assessment, Governor Beshear can request a federal disaster designation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Congressman Barr will support that request once it is made by Governor Beshear. 

Kentucky Flood Resources

If your community was flooded, emergency management agencies (EMAs) at the County level are in the process of damage assessments 

PLEASE make sure to report any damages through your local emergency management agency.  Resources for each County impacted by the floods in Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District is below:

Anderson County EMA:

Phone Number: 502-839-7642

Clark County EMA:

Phone Number: 859-745-7415

Website: http://www.clarkema.com/

Estill County EMA:

Phone Number: 606-723-6533

Website:  https://www.estill.org/flood.html

Fayette County, Lexington KY Emergency Management:

If you have flood damage to report, please complete this County form: crisistrack.com/public/fayetteKY/request.html

You can also contact Lexcall, Phone Number: 859-425-2255

Franklin County EMA:

Phone Number: 502-352-2065

EMA has contacted businesses, homes and other properties damaged by floods.  You can also reach out to Ready Frankfort.

Jessamine County EMA: 

Phone Number: 859-813-0362 

Email: Jessaminecoeoc@gmail.com

Madison County EMA:

Phone Number: 606-624-4787

Website: https://madisoncountyky.us/damage

Powell County EMA:

Phone Number: 606-663-4116

Wolfe County EMA:

Phone Number: 606-668-3040

https://www.facebook.com/wolfecountyemergencymanagement (Asking Residents with flood damage to send a Facebook Message with pictures)

Woodford County EMA:

Phone Number: 859-873-3170 

EMA currently reaching out to impacted homes. Additional resources for Woodford County are here: https://woodfordcounty.ky.gov/services/ema/Pages/Flood.aspx

Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans

Disaster Assistance Loans are available for those affected in select counties through the Small Business Administration.

Program Information

In primary counties, all loans are available for businesses of all sizes, non-profits, faith-based organizations, homeowners and renters.

  • These counties are: Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Johnson, Lee, Magoffin, Martin, and Powell

In Contiguous Counties, only Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available to small businesses and non-profits:

  • These counties are: Bell, Clark, Jackson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Leslie, Madison, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Wolfe

What Types of Disaster Loans are Available?

  • Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. The law limits business loans to $2,000,000.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.  
  • Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

What are the Interest Rates?

Interest rates are as low as 3% for businesses, 2% for nonprofit organizations, and 1.125% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

How to Apply

  • Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.
  • Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
  • Loan applications can also be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster.
  • The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 22, 2021.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 24, 2022.

Program Highlights & Tips

  • Applying for a disaster loan can be part of the FEMA process for homeowners and renters (FEMA does not assist businesses).
  • Applying for a disaster loan is FREE and there is NO PRESSURE to accept a loan if approved. If SBA denies the loan, they refer the survivor back to FEMA for additional grant consideration.
  • If FEMA says, “apply to SBA,” and a survivor doesn’t, then they don’t move forward through the FEMA process.
  • Interest rates are as low as 1.25% for homeowners and renters (most people receive that rate), and as low as 3% for businesses, and are 2% for non-profits, with terms up to 30 years.
  • Terms are up to 30 years to make payments affordable, but there are no prepayment penalties for those who wish to pay off their loans early.
  • Disaster loans are for un-insured and un-compensated losses.
  • Driveways, culverts, septic systems, wells, sheds, garages, fencing, decks, private bridges that allow access to a primary residence, etc. are generally all eligible under the disaster loan program.
  • Survivors can add 20 percent of the amount of their verified losses to their loan to make mitigation improvements to their property, such as a safe room or storm shelter, French drain, sump pumps, etc.
  • The first payment is not due until 18 months from the date of the Note; however, interest accrues during that period.
  • No collateral is required for loans of $25,000 or less. 
  • Survivors can apply online at disasterloan.sba.gov; call the SBA Customer Service Center, 800-659-2955, 7 days/week, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. ET – or email to FOCE-Help@sba.gov   
  • SBA staff are available by phone to help survivors apply. Email to FOCE-Help@sba.gov to make an appointment for assistance.
  • Businesses that apply for a physical disaster loan are automatically considered for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan; they do not have to put in a separate application.
  • Also, businesses that have received PPP and/or a COVID-19 EIDL can still apply for a new disaster loan; each disaster is considered separately, however, loans and payments cannot be combined.
  • The loans are direct from the U.S. Treasury, not a bank. The terms and interest rate don’t change.

A helpful video on the application process can be found here.