Gov. Andy Beshear said that he spoke with leadership at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and was pleased to hear that the agency is taking more steps to help Kentuckians:

 

1. FEMA is calling everyone who has been denied. Because of this, the Governor encouraged Kentuckians affected by flooding to answer their phones when called, even if it’s from an unfamiliar number.

 

2. For the first time ever, FEMA has implemented a texting program. The agency will soon be able to communicate with flood-impacted Kentuckians via text message to help speed communications and appointments.

 

3. FEMA staff at the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) now has the authority to approve claims onsite. FEMA says they have additional appointments available and encouraged Kentuckians to visit one of the DRC locations. For a full list of DRC locations that provide both state and federal resources in one place to best serve flood victims, visit governor.ky.gov/FloodResources and click the “One-Stop Resource Locations” tab. Unless otherwise noted, DRCs are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

 

4. In at least some of the mobile units that are traveling home-to-home there may be a FEMA representative who can give approval on a claim onsite.

 

“This is critically important as we move forward, and I appreciate the extra steps FEMA is taking,” Gov. Beshear said. “I urge flood victims to have all documentation on hand in case their application can be approved during a DRC appointment or onsite property visit.”

 

He continued: “Everyone in this situation wants to do better, including FEMA. My goal is to be relentless in pushing for more help for Kentuckians, and I want to thank FEMA for taking these new steps – steps we’ve never seen before – to help more people.”