Published: May 29, 2009 09:17 pm      

President declares parts of state major disaster

FRANKFORT — President Barack Obama on Friday declared parts of Kentucky devastated by May storms, tornadoes, flooding and mudslides a major disaster, making federal funding available for recovery.

Gov. Steve Beshear said in a news release that 22 counties will be eligible for federal funding, and in four of those counties, individuals will be able to apply for grants, low-cost loans and other programs to help rebuild.

“We have been working day and night with the federal government to get this declaration issued and now look forward to ensuring that the assistance is forthcoming as so many of our people work to rebuild their lives and their homes,” Beshear said.

According to the White House, the eligible counties are Ballard, Breathitt, Carlisle, Clay, Crittenden, Floyd, Grayson, Hickman, Jackson, Knott, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Madison, Magoffin, Marshall, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Russell, and Trigg.

In all of those counties, federal funding will be available to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work or the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, flooding, torandoes and mudslides.

In four of those counties — Breathitt, Floyd, Owsley and Pike — federal grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs, will also be available for individuals and business owners.

Additionally, the federal funds will be available for “hazard mitigation measures” for the entire state, the White House statement said.

The White House says the federal funding will be available for weather events that occurred from May 3 to May 20.

A tornado touched down in Richmond on May 8, killing two people, and torrents of rain led to flooding and mudslides across eastern Kentucky. The flooding killed at least one person, carried away homes, snapped water lines, blocked roadways, and damaged schools.

Early damage estimates totaled more than $52 million, state officials said.

Kentucky National Guard troops were called to the affected areas to help with damage assessments, security and patrols, and the governor’s office said Friday that 30 guardsmen remained in Breathitt County.

On Feb. 5, Obama declared a federal disaster for 93 Kentucky counties affected by a far-reaching January ice storm that caused more than $185 million in damages.