Trump approves public assistance for areas affected by spring flooding, tornadoes

Christopher Leach, Lexington Herald-Leader on Jul 23, 2025

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — President Donald Trump has approved public assistance for areas of Kentucky affected by this year’s flooding and severe tornadoes, Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday.

The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program, which provides grants to governments for recovery efforts from major disasters or emergencies. Certain types of private nonprofit organizations are also eligible for public assistance.

Affected areas were previously approved for individual assistance, which provides financial help and services for eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster. Beshear’s announcement marks the first round of FEMA financial aid for governments and private nonprofit organizations.

Public assistance was approved for victims of April’s major flooding and May’s severe tornado outbreak. Beshear said the help is essential for rebuilding communities and thanked Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for the approval.

On Truth Social, Trump said the approval will give $56 million to Kentucky. U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, a Republican from Kentucky, said the approval is great news for Kentucky.

“I worked with the Kentucky delegation to support disaster requests from the spring, and greatly appreciate the president’s leadership,” Barr said in a post on X.

In April, as much as 15 inches of rain fell on some parts of Kentucky, killing seven people, damaging homes and businesses, closing hundreds of roads, forcing evacuations and leading communities to conserve water.

An approved major disaster declaration gave 37 counties in Kentucky access to individual assistance. As of July 14, FEMA had approved more than $26.4 million for more than 3,467 Kentucky households affected by the storm, according to FEMA.

The deadline for April flood victims to apply for individual assistance is July 25, after it was extended by one month.

May’s severe tornado outbreak produced multiple tornadoes throughout the region, including a violent, EF-4 tornado that reached 170 mph wind speeds. The tornado traveled more than 55 miles across Pulaski and Laurel counties and destroyed or heavily damaged at least 1,500 homes.

In all, 20 people died in the storms, including 17 in Laurel County, where nine people died in one devastated subdivision. There was one victim each from McCracken, Russell and Pulaski counties.

Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg and Union counties were approved for individual assistance shortly after the storm. As of July 14, FEMA had approved more than $2.4 million for 443 Kentucky households, according to FEMA.

The deadline for May tornado victims to apply for individual assistance is Aug. 22, after it was extended by one month.

Beshear said more details about public assistance will be released soon.