Biden approves federal disaster declaration for Whitley, Knox counties

Whitley and Knox counties were included along with 13 other counties in a federal disaster declaration, which was approved by President Joe Biden on Tuesday (July 23). The declaration covers damage from severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides from May 21-27, 2024.

After a severe weather system that ultimately took the lives of six Kentuckians moved through the commonwealth on the weekend before Memorial Day, Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and requested a federal disaster declaration.

“We are once again thankful to President Biden and his administration for approving this funding. This support will be a big help for our families as they recover and rebuild from yet another terrible storm,” Beshear said. “As always, we saw our first responders and everyday Kentuckians rally to help each other in those toughest of moments, and that is why I am so proud to be Governor of this great commonwealth.”

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Clay, Greenup, Hopkins, Knox, Logan, Muhlenberg, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren and Whitley counties. 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.

The May 26-27 storms in Whitley County were likely straight-line winds that got up to about 90 mph and followed a similar path as the April 2 storm primarily going through north eastern Whitley County, said Whitley County Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains.

Rains said that according to National Weather Service radar, the storm appeared to have started at Cumberland Falls in Whitley County, then went up through Dog Slaughter and Frankfort School Road, across Tidal Wave Road and into Woodbine before going along US25E towards Gray.

The National Weather Service in Jackson confirmed a brief EF-1 tornado that spun-up near the Legacy Chevrolet dealership near the Corbin bypass and US25E in Knox County and travelled less than one mile before dissipating between Lynn Camp High School and Lynn Camp Elementary School.

Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities damaged by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides in Adair, Allen, Ballard, Barren, Breckinridge, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crittenden, Cumberland, Edmonson, Estill, Fulton, Garrard, Graves, Grayson, Green, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Jackson, Knox, Larue, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, McCreary, McLean, Meade, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Owsley, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Whitley and Woodford counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

E. Craig Levy Sr. of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or other similar service, can give FEMA the number for that service.

This is the third time this year that Whitley County has been included in a federal disaster declaration.

In April, Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for Whitley County and more than 70 other Kentucky counties that had been affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides on March 3-4.

On May 22, Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for Whitley County and 10 other Kentucky counties in connection with April 2-3 tornadoes and storms that swept across Kentucky.