Kentucky to Receive Storm Aid

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the commonwealth of Kentucky to help people and communities recover from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of Feb. 5-6. FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the commonwealth by President Bush. Paulison said that the President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Allen, Christian, Fayette, Hardin, Hart, Meade, Mercer, Monroe, and Muhlenberg counties. The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance. Federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties within the commonwealth.