Major Disaster Declarations and FEMA
There are currently two active disaster declarations in AppalReD Legal Aid's service area. Appeals are also ongoing for the February floods (DR-4860).
To skip down to the disaster declaration that has impacted you, use the menu on the side (desktop) or above (mobile).
DR-4875-KY May Tornadoes
On May 23, 2025, President Trump approved Governor Beshear’s request for a “major disaster declaration” in several Kentucky counties. This allows individuals living in these counties to apply for FEMA financial assistance. For an overview of the types of assistance that are available, please visit this link on FEMA's website.
Click here to read the disaster declaration.
As of May 23, 2025, residents of the following counties are eligible for FEMA Assistance and SBA loans: Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg and Union.
To apply for FEMA assistance, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).
Disaster Recovery Center Locations
This list was updated on May 27, 2025.
Russell County / Russell County Courthouse
Address
410 Monument Square
Jamestown, Kentucky 42629
Russell
Get Directions
Pulaski Co. Center for Rural Development Rm D-E
2292 S Highway 27
Somerset, Kentucky 42501
Pulaski
Get Directions
DRC Hours
Monday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Tuesday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Wednesday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Thursday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Friday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Saturday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Sunday: | 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
DRC Hours
Monday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Tuesday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Wednesday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Thursday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Friday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Saturday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Sunday: | 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Laurel Co. Public Library Laurie Acton Auditorium
Address
120 College Park Dr
London, Kentucky 40741
Laurel
Get Directions
DRC Hours
Monday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Tuesday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Wednesday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Thursday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Friday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Saturday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Sunday: | 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
DR-4864-KY April Severe Storms and Floods
On April 24 President Trump approved Governor Beshear’s request for a “major disaster declaration” in several Kentucky counties. This allows individuals living in these counties to apply for FEMA financial assistance. Clark, Garrard, and Lincoln are the counties in AppalReD's service area that have been declared. To see a list of designated areas click here.
Disaster Recovery Centers
D-SNAP
DR-4860-KY February Floods
On February 24, 2025, President Trump approved Governor Beshear’s request for a “major disaster declaration” in several Kentucky counties. This allows individuals living in these counties to apply for FEMA financial assistance. For an overview of the types of assistance that are available, please visit this link on FEMA's website.
As of March 3, 2025, residents of the following counties are eligible for FEMA financial assistance and SBA loans: Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Simpson.
You may also be eligible for a low-interest loan from the Small Business Administration to assist with rebuilding your home. To view a fact sheet about SBA loans and apply for a loan, visit this link on SBA's website.
As of March 3, 2025, residents of the following counties are eligible for FEMA financial assistance and SBA loans: Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Simpson.
To apply for FEMA assistance, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).
THE CURRENT DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE AND SBA LOANS was May 25, 2025. Initial applications for assistance are now CLOSED. Applicants CAN still appeal their decisions.
Please visit our “Disaster 101” hub for additional information about FEMA and SBA.
D-SNAP and Disaster Unemployment Assistance
D-SNAP
SNAP participants in all 120 counties may be eligible for additional benefits to replace food lost as a result of the floods. Food loss must have been directly caused by flood damage or a power outage of four or more hours on 2/15. Call DCBS at 855-306-8959 and have your case number handy.
If you’re not enrolled in SNAP but lost food, dial 211 or visit kynect.ky.gov/resources to find food assistance near you.
Disaster Unemployment
The state is now accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from individuals in 14 counties who are out of work due to the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred in Kentucky beginning on Feb. 14, 2025.
On Feb. 25, 2025, President Donald Trump approved Gov. Andy Beshear’s request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, which includes public assistance for local governments and individual assistance for Kentuckians in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike counties. On March 2, 2025, an amendment to that declaration was issued adding Estill, Johnson and Simpson counties to those eligible for individual assistance, including DUA.
Individuals – including unemployed and self-employed individuals who were living or working in the affected areas and became unemployed or had work interrupted as a direct result of severe storms and flooding that began on Feb. 14, 2025 – are eligible to apply for DUA benefits through the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance.
The deadline to file individual initial applications for DUA is 60 days after the presidential declaration of the major disaster that resulted in the individual becoming unemployed. Additional counties added after the initial declaration must adhere to the same 60-day application deadline. Affected individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website at kcc.ky.gov or call 502-564-2900 to file their initial claim. The deadline to apply for DUA is April 25, 2025.
DUA is available to individuals who:
- Worked or were self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment;
- Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to their place of employment as a direct result of a disaster, which can also include the physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its closure by the federal, state or local government in immediate response to the disaster;
- Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income;
- Do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state;
- Cannot work or resume self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster; or
- As a result of the disaster, became the breadwinner or major supporter of a household because of the death of the head of the household.
In order to qualify for DUA benefits, claimants in eligible counties must show that their employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster and that they are not otherwise eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits under state or federal law. Farmers and other self-employed individuals who traditionally are ineligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may qualify for DUA.
To receive DUA benefits, the federal program requires individuals to provide documents, including a copy of their most recent federal or state income tax forms or check stubs, a bill showing their physical address at the time of the disaster and a photo ID. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the individual’s DUA application is filed.
DUA is available for 28 weeks of unemployment beginning Feb. 16, 2025, until Aug. 30, 2025, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster.
Other Resources
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For assistance throughout the FEMA application process, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
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If you are feeling anxiety, depression, anger, or otherwise struggling with your mental health after the floods, please call the Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990 for free and confidential counseling and referrals. The Hotline operates 24/7, 7 days a week.
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The Red Cross is actively assisting flood survivors in our area. If you need shelter or food, contact The Red Cross at 800-733-2767.
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Disasters can lead to an increase consumer scams, such as individuals posing as FEMA officials to access a survivor’s personal information. If you believe you or someone you know has been a victim of an attempted scam relating to FEMA, report it to the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 1-866-223-0814 or email StopFEMAFraud@FEMA.dhs.gov. For other suspected scams, contact the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office at ag.ky.gov/scams or call 502-696-5485. Please visit our “Disaster 101” page for more information about protecting yourself from common scams.
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For more information on state and federal recovery resources, visit https://governor.ky.gov/flood-resources.
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