The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied three counties’ requests for federal disaster assistance for areas in Kentucky affected by severe storms and tornadoes on May 16 and 17, 2025, according to a letter sent to Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. The agency issued the denials despite a large number of counties being approved for general federal help with public infrastructure recovery.
FEMA denied individual assistance for Christian and Todd counties and public assistance for Leslie County.
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“However, based on the results of the joint federal, Commonwealth and local government preliminary damage assessments, it has been determined that the impact to the individuals and households in Christian and Todd counties is not of the severity and magnitude to warrant their designation under the Individual Assistance Program,” FEMA’s letter stated.
Individual assistance aid helps individuals and households with things like temporary housing, home repairs and personal property replacement. Public assistance aid helps local governments and certain nonprofits repair public infrastructure like roads, bridges and public buildings.
FEMA also denied the state’s request for help through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant program, funding for long-term disaster risk reduction projects related to April’s floods and May’s tornadoes.
Governor plans to appeal FEMA decision
The denials come a week after the Trump administration approved public assistance funding for 64 counties hit by April flooding and 36 counties hit by May storms and tornadoes.
“While we appreciate the Individual Assistance and Public Assistance we were granted for most of the affected areas, we are disappointed in the decision,” Gov. Beshear said in a statement. “We are actively comparing the damage assessments, and we plan to appeal.”
Federal government shifts focus to state responsibility
President Donald Trump and representatives with the Department of Homeland Security have said that FEMA should be eliminated. They want states to be responsible for disaster relief.
On Tuesday, July 29, FEMA announced billions of dollars in federal funds “to empower states to prepare for disasters.”
“President Trump has been clear: States will be empowered and responsible for managing disaster response and protecting their communities,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator David Richardson in a statement. “That’s why FEMA is focused on equipping states with the resources they need to take charge of their own emergency preparedness, including through federal grant programs. We are making money available to state and local governments, helping them get the equipment, training and personnel they need to face destructive storms and other disasters.”
Trump said in June that he wants FEMA to be eliminated by December 2025, after the hurricane season, which runs from August through October. He also said the federal government will “give out less money” to states dealing with natural disasters.
Maryland flooding aid denied
Despite major damage from May flooding, FEMA decided not to grant disaster assistance to Maryland during the week of July 20. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, D, said he would be appealing the decision.
