Last Updated 8-12-22
This past week, Eastern Kentucky was hit with massive flooding that destroyed communities and took the lives of several Kentuckians. Community Ventures is compiling resources to share with those in need. Please check this page regularly for updates. If you have any disaster relief resources that we can share, please email them to jbrown@cvky.org.
Applicants who disagree with FEMA’s decision, or the amount of assistance, may submit an appeal letter and documents supporting their claim, such as a contractor’s estimate for home repairs.
FEMA cannot duplicate assistance provided by another source, such as insurance settlements. However, those who are underinsured may receive further assistance for unmet needs after insurance claims have been settled by submitting insurance settlement or denial documents to FEMA.
FEMA does not provide assistance for insurance deductibles.
Appeals must be in writing. In a signed and dated letter, explain the reason(s) for the appeal. It should also include:
Letters must be postmarked within 60 days of the date of the determination letter. Appeal letters and supporting documents may be submitted to FEMA by fax or mail or via a FEMA online account. To set up an online account, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, click on “Apply Online” and follow the directions.
A FEMA inspection may be required to determine whether a home is safe, sanitary, accessible and functional. FEMA considers the following factors in the home inspection:
FEMA assistance is not the same as insurance. FEMA assistance only provides funds for basic work to make a home habitable, including items such as toilets, a roof, critical utilities, windows and doors.
SBA Disaster Assistance for Those Affected by Severe Flooding, Landslides & Storms
Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available to businesses and residents in Kentucky following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on July 26, 2022.
The disaster declaration covers Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Perry, and Pike Counties in Kentucky, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following contiguous counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Bell, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, and Wolfe in Kentucky; for economic injury only in the contiguous Virginia Counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise; and for economic injury only in the contiguous West Virginia County of Mingo.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration #17546 and #17457 (Disaster KY-00093).
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app.
If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants can call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call that same phone number.
Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
Loan applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster.
Mail completed applications to:
U.S. Small Business Administration | Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road | Fort Worth, TX 76155
SBA Opens Disaster Recovery Centers in Eastern Kentucky
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Tuesday afternoon that it is opening three Business Recovery Centers in the flood-ravaged areas of eastern Kentucky on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Perry County BRC opens at noon on Wednesday at Hazard Community and Technical College’s Jolly Classroom Center. Hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Clay County BRC opens at noon on Thursday at Eastern Kentucky University’s Manchester campus. Its hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The Letcher County BRC opens at noon on Thursday at Appalachian Groundswell in Whitesburg. Its hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The BRCs are established to provide one-on-one assistance in submitting a disaster loan application for Kentucky businesses impacted by the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on July 26.
Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about the disaster loan program and assist business owners in completing their applications. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA has established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. All visitors to the BRCs are encouraged to wear a face mask.
The disaster declaration covers Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Perry and Pike counties in Kentucky, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans, or EIDLs: Bell, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley and Wolfe.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, elevation, retaining walls, and landscaping to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers EIDLs to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster, with assistance available whether or not the business suffered any physical property damage.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates are as low as 3.04 percent for businesses, 1.875 percent for nonprofit organizations and 2.188 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/, and should apply under SBA declaration # 17546. Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.
The physical loan application deadline is Sept. 28, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 1, 2023.
Eastern Kentucky Homeowners & Renters Should Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance
FEMA has already announced that renters and homeowners of Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Perry and Pike counties who were affected by the severe storms, flooding and mudslides that began July 26 may apply for individual disaster assistance.
Ways to Apply
Have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance? File a claim with your insurance company immediately. FEMA assistance cannot aid with losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
Travel trailers are being delivered and connected to utilities for emergency sheltering. Twenty-five travel trailers have been delivered to Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Floyd County. And between two areas in Knott County, 25 more are being set up. Information will be forthcoming for those who may be in need of these temporary shelters.
Homeowner Resources
Fannie Mae Disaster Response Network
Fannie Mae offers help to homeowners with a Fannie Mae-owned loan, including:
Call 877-833-1746 for more information on the Fannie Mae Disaster Response Network.
Properties Impacted by Disaster
Please refer to the list of affected counties published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) using the following link: http://www.fema.gov/disasters. KHC will require an exterior inspection on all subject properties located in affected counties if the appraisal was completed on or before July 25, 2022. The inspection should show evidence verifying that the property is undamaged.
For additional flood resources, including shelters, visit governor.ky.gov/floodresources
Emergency Shelters
Resort Park and Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
Cooling Stations for Relief from the Heat
Missing Persons
Kentucky State Police is continuing to respond and actively search for missing people.
Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund
As of 7:30 a.m. EDT on Aug. 1, there have been 12,035 donations to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, totaling $1,534,308.30. To donate, visit TeamEKYfloodrelieffund.ky.gov. The fund is fully transparent and the first distribution of funds will go toward paying for each victim’s funeral.
Visit KHC’s Resources for Kentuckians in Need page
Visit DV8 Kitchen to Support Disaster Relief for Addiction Recovery Care
DV8 has connected with Addiction Recovery Care’s (ARC’s) Spring Hill, which is a center for men in Letcher County KY. Their counseling services building has been destroyed and the residents and employees displaced. Many of ARC’s employees in that region have been significantly impacted with loss and damages to homes, vehicles, and other property.
We want to help out! Starting Wednesday, August 3, DV8 Kitchen will be selling the Appalachian Hot Brown in both of their locations for $11. They are donating the profit to ARC Spring Hill with the goal of raising $1,800. If you or your business want to match this donation, please email info@dv8kitchen.com or call/text Rob Perez at 859-321-5600.