Federal aid granted by Trump for Kentucky communities affected by the extreme weather conditions in April and May
In a significant move, the Trump Administration has approved Public Assistance for 100 counties in Kentucky that were hit by severe weather events in April and May. This announcement was made by Governor Andy Beshear on July 23, 2025.
The Public Assistance designation, which follows the President's approval, is intended to provide financial aid for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and facilities damaged during the disasters. As many as 64 counties were impacted by the April 2 storms and flooding, while 36 counties were affected by the May 16-17 storms and tornadoes.
The list of counties receiving Public Assistance includes Allen, Barren, Breathitt, Breckinridge, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Casey, Christian, Clark, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Franklin, Gallatin, Garrard, Graves, Grayson, Green, Greenup, Hancock, Hart, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Kenton, Larue, Lawrence, Lee, Logan, Lyon, Magoffin, Marion, Martin, McLean, Meade, Metcalfe, Morgan, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Nicholas, Owen, Owsley, Pendleton, Perry, Rockcastle, Spencer, Taylor, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Warren, Washington, Webster, Wolfe, and Woodford (for the April events), and Adair, Barren, Breathitt, Butler, Caldwell, Carlisle, Casey, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crittenden, Estill, Jackson, Knott, Knox, LaRue, Laurel, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Owsley, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Spencer, Todd, Trigg, Union, Warren, and Wayne (for the May events) [1].
The Presidential major disaster declaration issued May 23, 2025, authorises federal disaster aid under the Stafford Act, including Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for the designated counties, pending Preliminary Damage Assessments. The Small Business Administration (SBA) also offers low-interest disaster loans to private nonprofits in many of the affected counties [2][3].
However, FEMA has denied Individual Assistance for Christian and Todd counties and Public Assistance for Leslie County related to the May 16-17 event. The state plans to appeal these denials. Additionally, requests for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant funding for both April and May events were also denied by FEMA [4].
Governor Beshear expressed his gratitude to President Trump and praised the FEMA teams for their work in Kentucky. He also announced the establishment of the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund to help survivors of the severe weather in February and additional natural disasters. Donations to this fund will first help pay for victims' funeral expenses [5].
To donate to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund, visit secure.kentucky.gov.
References:
[1] Kentucky.gov. (2025). Disaster Recovery. [online] Available at: https://governor.ky.gov/disaster-recovery
[2] White House.gov. (2025). Presidential Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. [online] Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/05/23/presidential-disaster-declaration-for-the-commonwealth-of-kentucky/
[3] SBA.gov. (2025). Low-Interest Disaster Loans. [online] Available at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
[4] FEMA.gov. (2025). Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding. [online] Available at: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4649
[5] Kentucky.gov. (2025). Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. [online] Available at: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/TeamKentucky/StormReliefFund
The Public Assistance designation, approved by the Trump Administration for Kentucky, aims to provide financial aid for the reconstruction of public infrastructure damaged during the severe weather events in April and May. The list of counties receiving Public Assistance includes Allen, Barren, Breathitt, Breckinridge, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Casey, Christian, Clark, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Franklin, Gallatin, Garrard, Graves, Grayson, Green, Greenup, Hancock, Hart, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Kenton, Larue, Lawrence, Lee, Logan, Lyon, Magoffin, Marion, Martin, McLean, Meade, Metcalfe, Morgan, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Nicholas, Owen, Owsley, Pendleton, Perry, Rockcastle, Spencer, Taylor, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Warren, Washington, Webster, Wolfe, and Woodford (for the April events), and Adair, Barren, Breathitt, Butler, Caldwell, Carlisle, Casey, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crittenden, Estill, Jackson, Knott, Knox, LaRue, Laurel, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Owsley, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Spencer, Todd, Trigg, Union, Warren, and Wayne (for the May events).
