Trump declares KY’s flooding a major disaster, paving the way for federal aid
President Donald Trump has signed off on Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s request for a major disaster declaration regarding the widespread flooding that affected the commonwealth earlier this month.
Trump has approved individual assistance for 13 counties, though the governor’s request for public assistance and direct federal assistance for 33 counties and hazard mitigation for the entire state are still pending, Beshear’s office said Friday night.
Residents and business owners in Anderson, Butler, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jessamine, McCracken, Mercer, Owen and Woodford counties will be able to apply for help from FEMA.
Beshear will ask that more counties be added after damage assessments are finished, his office said.
“This declaration is crucial because so many Kentucky families have been significantly affected by this event, and the greatest impact has been felt by our families whose homes were flooded,” Beshear said.
“We are again thankful to President Trump and his administration for approving this critical funding. Just like before, we will get through this – together. And I promise that we will be there for our people as long as it takes.”
Beshear had requested the major disaster declaration April 11.
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U.S. Rep. James Comer and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr issued statements announcing the disaster approval Friday afternoon.
Kentucky’s federal delegates had written an April 14 letter supporting the declaration, Comer said in a statement.
“The resources made available today through this declaration will play a vital role in emergency response, debris removal, and the long road to recovery,” he wrote.
“Today’s federal declaration unlocks funding through the Individual Assistance (IA) program, enabling individuals affected by the flooding to receive reimbursement for essential expenses and serious needs not covered by insurance or other forms of aid,” Comer said.
“Eligible assistance may include rental support, home repairs or replacement, temporary lodging, and other critical expenses.”
The floodwaters that resulted from up to 15 inches of rain in some places left seven people dead, damaged homes and businesses, closed hundreds of roads, forced evacuations and led communities to conserve water.
“Just received word from the White House: President @realDonaldTrump has approved disaster assistance for Kentucky. Thank you, Mr. President!” Barr wrote in a post on the social media platform X.
After the flooding that affected every county in the state in February, the state received an expedited declaration of a major disaster declaration, which Beshear said “authorized at least some level of public assistance for local governments in 68 counties and individual assistance for Kentuckians in 16 counties.”
However, Beshear said Wednesday, FEMA denied assistance for the February flooding to individuals in six counties — Butler, Franklin, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, and Whitley — saying the flood’s impact “is not of the severity and magnitude to warrant their designation under the Individual Assistance program.”
FEMA also denied public assistance to Woodford and Simpson counties, saying their infrastructure had not been affected to the degree necessary to warrant help that is sometimes available to local governments and nonprofits.
“We are actively comparing the damage assessments, and we plan to appeal this decision,” Behsear said in response.
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 7:21 PM.
