President Donald J. Trump issued a federal disaster declaration Friday for Laurel, Pulaski, Caldwell, Russell, Trigg and Union counties in connection with severe storms, straight-line winds and tornados that struck from May 16-17 killing a total of 19 people statewide.
Officials have confirmed that an EF-4 tornado struck parts of London and Laurel County damaging approximately 1,500 homes and killing 17 people just in Laurel County.
“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,” according to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) news release.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.
FEMA is offering a wide variety of help to people affected by the severe storms. Every homeowner or renter who suffered damage or loss is encouraged to apply. FEMA can provide money to eligible applicants for help with serious needs, paying for a temporary place to live, home repairs and other needs not covered by insurance. Survivors have 60 days to apply for assistance, the deadline to apply is July 23.
FEMA started working in the area Friday. FEMA workers are expected to be walking impacted areas this week to meet with survivors. They will be dressed in FEMA attire and have FEMA identification.
“All you have to do is ask for identification to make sure you are dealing with FEMA representatives. Upon you asking they will provide their identification,” Laurel County Sheriff John Root noted during a press conference Saturday.
In-person help available
There are a number of disaster survivor assistance sites set up in Laurel County where tornado victims can go to get help applying for assistance, including the following locations:
- The Laurel County Public Library is located off the KY-192 Bypass in College Park. The library hours are 9 a.m. 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and from 1 – 7 p.m. on Sunday.
- The Walmart Supercenter is located at 1851 KY-192 in London. It will operate from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- The former Food Fair building is located at 1812 N. Main Street, London. It will operate from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- The London-Corbin Airport is located at 405 Airpark Drive. It will operate from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- The Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School is located at KY-363. It will operate from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
When applying for FEMA individual assistance, Kentuckians should make sure they upload their documents online via the FEMA App or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
You also need to make sure that your damaged home is your primary residence, that you haven’t received assistance for the same losses from another source, including insurance, and that you are able to be reached by FEMA at the contact information you provide in the application.
Questions concerning shelter or housing should be directed to the disaster survivor call center at (502) 607-6665 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.
Questions concerning volunteer efforts should be directed to the London-Corbin Airport disaster recovery center or to the one at Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School.
“Either one of those two, if you have resources you want to bring in – equipment, help, whatever – please direct those questions there,” Root said.
Whitley and Laurel County Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains said that those wanting to volunteer or to check on donations should go to the City of London’s Facebook page or the Laurel County Fiscal Court’s Facebook page.
“There are links on there that can get you registered and get you signed up to help. We are welcoming the help. We are so grateful to everybody that has showed up from all over the country, Laurel County and all the counties around us,” Rains said.
The Laurel County Emergency Operations Center can be reached at (606) 862-7904 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.
“If you have any questions, if you have anything you are skeptical about or need some guidance with, we have call takers that are on duty manning those phones. We will answer those questions. If we can’t answer it, we will call you back and get you an answer,” Rains said.
Thankful for assistance
“Thank you, Laurel County and the City of London, for all the support and all the help that we have had up until this point. We are now just moving down the road going on trying to get everybody back to normal,” Rains said.
Several members of the Kentucky General Assembly have expressed thanks for Trump’s quick approval of the federal disaster declaration.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to President Trump for quickly approving federal aid for the six counties most severely impacted by the recent tornado, including my home county of Laurel. This timely response will provide critical support to families who have lost so much, said Kentucky State Senator Brandon Storm, R-London.
“I also commend Governor (Andy) Beshear for formally requesting this assistance, and our federal delegation for advocating for our communities. In times of crisis, it’s important that all levels of government work together to aid those in need.”
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers echoed similar sentiments.
“I want to thank President Donald Trump for approving Kentucky’s request for federal disaster assistance. This swift action will provide much-needed relief to families in some of the hardest-hit areas. I also appreciate the cooperation shown by the Governor and our federal partners. When tragedy strikes, Kentuckians unite. This is an example of government working the way it should: quickly, collaboratively, and with people in mind,” Stivers said.
“Our hearts remain with the families who lost loved ones and the communities now beginning the long road ahead. The Senate stands ready to support recovery efforts however we can.”
