Beshear says flood relief talks with lawmakers ‘productive,' warns Kentuckians beware scammers
Family members of Kathy Kinney gather around her in a vehicle near her flooded home at Ramsey Mobile Home Park in Pikeville, Feb. 17, 2025. (Photo by)
Gov. Andy Beshear encouraged Kentuckians affected by flooding to apply for aid through FEMA by visiting disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or calling 800-621-3362.
The governor also warned Kentuckians to be cautious, as there has been one report of someone posing as a FEMA official. Beshear said the agency would never ask for or accept money and officials would always carry photo ID with them. Anyone who suspects they have been a victim of a scam should contact their local law enforcement department or the Office of the Attorney General.
FRANKFORT — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said 'productive conversations' between his administration and lawmakers in the Republican-controlled General Assembly about flood relief aid 'are going on right now.'
During his weekly press conference Thursday, Beshear said his administration has 'seen an incredible willingness' from lawmakers during the discussions and he anticipates legislation will be passed during the current session, meaning there would likely be no need for a special session in the coming months.
Last week, widespread floods and bitter winter weather killed 23 people in Kentucky. The state is no stranger to natural disasters. Since Beshear has been in office, Kentucky has been granted 13 federal declarations for aid.
The governor said he's hoping to work with lawmakers on a new SAFE fund, or State Aid for Emergencies. Kentucky had SAFE funds to respond to 2021 tornadoes in Western Kentucky and 2022 floods in Eastern Kentucky.
'Remember, the process is important because there were additions from legislative leaders that were really beneficial in how we put this together, both for the West and the East,' Beshear said.
Beshear said the new fund will be similar to the past SAFE funds, but he would like to see some differences. Particularly, he wants it to be easier to move money between pots of dollars to get it where it's needed quickly. Debris removal efforts will also be different this time around, as the need is statewide and not localized to just one region.
Lawmakers on the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee heard an update from two Eastern Kentucky Republican senators about damage in their districts Wednesday morning. Sens. Phillip Wheeler and Scott Madon, said the initial assessments show millions of dollars in damages from the weather.
After the meeting, the committee chair, Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, told reporters 'there will be something' on financial legislation but it was unclear what it would be as assessments were still ongoing.
The governor toured Pike and Knott counties in Eastern Kentucky Wednesday. During his Thursday update, Beshear said state-led intake centers in those counties have been visited by more than 1,000 people seeking assistance.
Two disaster recovery centers have been opened in Pike County, the governor added.
Beshear met with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler Wednesday evening in Frankfort after they surveyed flood damage in Eastern Kentucky by helicopter. Loeffler announced SBA disaster loans in counties affected by floods, including 11 Kentucky counties included in the disaster declaration.
Republican President Donald Trump approved expedited disaster assistance for individuals and local governments in 11 Kentucky counties — Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike. The approval FEMA announced Monday was for 10 counties and subsequently expanded to include Floyd County. The president approved an emergency declaration shortly after the flooding began on Feb. 14.
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