Federal disaster assistance deadline extended to Oct. 28

If you suffered damage from the July 31 flash flooding in southern Whitley County and haven’t applied for federal disaster assistance but plan to, then you’re in luck as the application deadline has been extended to later this month.

The deadline to register for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance in connection with July flooding across eastern Kentucky was initially Sept. 28, but at the request of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, homeowners and renters, who suffered damage to their property, now have until Oct. 28 to apply.

Residents of any of the following counties are eligible to receive possible federal assistance: Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley.

FEMA assistance for individuals affected by the July floods can cover rental assistance, temporary housing, home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

To register call (800) 621-3362, go online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or use the FEMA app for smartphones.

If you have insurance, you are encouraged to file a claim for damage to your home, personal property and vehicles before you apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA cannot duplicate other sources of assistance you may have received.

As of early September, about 250 Whitley County residents had already applied for federal disaster assistance.