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Updated: 4:21 PM Aug 11, 2010
Tips for Getting Flood Assistance from FEMA
FEMA officials say the best way is to call or go online first, then visit as a follow-up. Nearly $7 million in assistance has been approved for residents of Carter and Lewis counties alone.
Posted: 9:01 PM Aug 10, 2010Reporter: Randy Yohe Email Address: randy.yohe@wsaz.com  8/10/10: Seeking Flood Assistance 7/23/10: Applying for FEMA Assistance |
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12 Comments 
UPDATE 8/10/10 @ 9 p.m.
OLIVE HILL, Ky. (WSAZ) -- While the floodwaters are gone, for many in our region the recovery is really just beginning.
The real sign of financial flood help comes when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies open an office in a stricken community.
That's what happened in Carter and Lewis counties on Tuesday. Robert Brown was among the dozens who made their way to a converted Olive Hill school on Tuesday -- one of the many residents in Carter County hit hard by a late July flood.
"It tore out my foundation," Brown said.
Many requests for help stories were similar to his. FEMA officials say the best way is to call or go online first, then visit as a follow-up. Nearly $7 million in assistance has been approved for residents of Carter and Lewis counties alone.
FEMA officials also encourage everyone affected to apply for assistance -- even people who don't have as much damage as their neighbors.
"There's plenty for everybody," FEMA public official Jim Homstad said. "You need to get in the system."
And FEMA has caps, so there are U.S..Small Business Administration loans also available.
The FEMA and SBA officers serving Carter and Lewis counties are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Saturday, Aug. 14.
The place to go online to get help is at FEMA's website: www.disasterassistance.gov. There is a direct link available from our Featured Links here at WSAZ.com.
You also can call FEMA's help desk at 800-621-FEMA.
ORIGINAL STORY 7/23/10
GRAHN, Ky. (WSAZ) -- As federal assessments continue in flood- soaked communities throughout our region, many are confused about just what help they can get from their hard-earned tax dollars.
WSAZ.com's Randy Yohe went searching for answers and found that federal help does not come in one neat package.
Before his tour of the hard-hit Grahn and Olive Hill area, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said if the area did not reach the multi-million dollar damage threshold needed for FEMA assistance, he would work on alternatives.
"We'll go for individual assistance," Beshear said.
"FEMA is mostly loans," says Kentucky Emergency Management Director Gen. John Heltzer. "Some can qualify for grants."
So, which flood victims get grants, free money and who gets loans? One local county emergency management director says the simple answer is damage to a household personal living space qualifies for grant money. Anything out of or around the home, however, nets possible loan money.
For businesses, federal flood help is usually on an a loan basis, after any insurance claims.
But many in Carter County, including the judge executive, are upset with the FEMA business response from a previous flood in May.
Local emergency management folks say if a flooded business has no insurance at all, it can get limited grant money.
Federal disaster loans come through FEMA and the Small Business Association. Local emergency directors tell us the interest rates run between 2.5 and 3 percent. And the payback deadlines can reach 20 years.
Latest Comments
In 2002 FEMA posted a request for eastern Kentucky residents to purchase FLOOD insurance through an insurance agent. Every year, more homes in the U.S. are damaged by floods than by any other natural disaster, a fact well known to residents of eastern Kentucky after storms flooded the region in March. The storms resulted in the President declaring a major disaster that included 24 counties for Individual Assistance. Since then six more counties have been added to that group, bringing to 30 the number of counties impacted. Disaster officials are reminding homeowners throughout Kentucky that they should purchase flood insurance coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), to reduce future flood losses. The program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). There are 19,836 Kentucky NFIP policyholders in 303 communities with coverage amounting to $1.6 billion. "Flood damage---unlike wind damage---is not covered by homeowner's or business
I'm frustrated. My parents live in Rowan County on Cranston Road and they were flooded but yet they aren't getting any assistance. There were many people who were flood on that road. Just because the whole county was not flooded they aren't getting any help. They are retired and don't have the money to replace their heating and cooling unit. Why does FEMA have the right to say they don't qualify? They need help!!!!!!
i lost ever thing i dont even have a car i need help i have job i cant even get to it
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