Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem surveys flood damage in Kentucky
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — Loss, pain, heartbreak—those are some of the words used to describe last week's devastating severe weather that took the lives of several Kentuckians and changed the lives of countless others.
Recovery efforts across the state have been in full swing since the flooding, which was soon followed by snowstorms.
On Wednesday, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited Kentucky and briefly met with Gov. Andy Beshear after surveying flood damage.
Noem and other government leaders discussed how they would provide short- and long-term support for Kentuckians in need.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem surveys flood damage in Kentucky
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February's devastating floods claimed the lives of at least 23 people and destroyed homes and businesses across several counties in Eastern Kentucky.
Now in the stabilization phase, Beshear said the state is making progress with the help of federal assistance from President Trump and Noem. Individual assistance is now available for Kentuckians in 11 counties.
'It means that they can apply for up to about $42,000 to help get their life back on track,' said Beshear. 'I heard it from the acting administrator of FEMA yesterday. A desire by this administration to help our people to rebuild, and I absolutely believe it.'
As of Wednesday afternoon, the number of road closures was down to 66, and the team Kentucky storm relief fund has raised more than $400,000. Beshear said he is grateful for the secretary and her efforts to help Kentuckians in need.
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'You're seeing unified support for them,' said Beshear. 'Today we stand united. Local, state, and federal officials working together. They are showing up today, and we're all going to keep showing up for our people.'
Noem saw some of the flood damage firsthand and commended Kentuckians for their resilience.
'There's events that happen in people's lives that something changes it forever, and forever now their lives will be well; that was before we lost that loved one, or that was after, or that was before we lost our home, or this was after the flood of 2025,' said Noem. 'And that's what this event was for so many Kentuckians.'
Noem noted that equipping more Kentucky families with flood insurance will be crucial for future floods, but she said that she and the Trump administration will also stand by Kentuckians in need in the long term.
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'The ten counties that were impacted and the communities will continue to walk this path towards restoration, but we'll do what we can to help them and make sure that the resources are there.'
Residents and business owners impacted by the floods in eligible counties can start applying for assistance at disasterassistance.gov.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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The following is the transcript of an interview with Sen. Alex Padilla, Democrat of California, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on June 15, 2025. MARGARET BRENNAN: And we're joined now by California Senator Alex Padilla. Good morning and Happy Father's Day to you. SEN. ALEX PADILLA: Thank you. Thank you. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there, and including those who are probably living a little bit fearful right now because of what we're seeing these increasingly cruel and extreme immigration enforcement raids, but nonetheless, they're going to work trying to provide for their families. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I want to ask you about your personal experience with some of this, as many of our viewers saw that video of you being briefly detained when you were trying to get a question in to the Homeland Security Secretary. There- her office later said you spoke for nearly 15 minutes afterwards. Did you get the answer to the question you were trying to ask? 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PADILLA: Right? Workers in restaurants, in agricultural fields, in health care, construction, etc. That's who's being targeted now, and that's why there's so much fear and terror in communities, not just in Los Angeles, but throughout the country, MARGARET BRENNAN: So the vast majority of immigrants in California, we went and we looked at the stats. They are in this country legally, but Pew Research says your state has nearly 2 million undocumented and they make up about 7% of the entire labor force in some of those farming and service jobs that you you talked about. Since the Trump administration this week told ICE to pull back a bit when it comes to enforcement. Do you see that as a step in the right direction, and do you know what triggered that decision? SEN. PADILLA: Yeah, so I don't know exactly what triggered that decision. I'll take it. Is it a step in the right direction? It's at least a baby step. 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I was escorted into that room by an FBI agent and a National Guard's member. It's the Los Angeles press corps. It said United States Senate on the chest of my polo. MARGARET BRENNAN" Senator Padilla, thank you for joining us today.
