FEMA Approves More Than $11 Million in Federal Funding for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management

FRANKFORT, Ky. – FEMA has approved more than $11 million for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) for debris removal operations undertaken to remove debris deposited throughout Kentucky by last summer’s severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides.

Following the devastating flood event, debris removal, part of FEMA’s Public Assistance program, became a critical mission to help address the immediate threat to the general public’s health and safety as well as to property. 

“Every disaster is unique and brings its own set of hurdles to overcome, particularly with debris,” said KYEM Director Jeremy Slinker. “The challenges we faced in this response was unlike any we had ever faced before. I am proud and thankful for the many partners that had a hand in helping Eastern Kentucky.”

Approximately 31,749 tons of vegetative debris, 22,359 tons of construction and demolition debris, 6,805 tons of sand/soil/mud, 2,586 of hazardous leaning trees and seven hazardous hanging limbs were removed from waterways and public property. 

Debris was removed to eight permitted temporary debris staging and reduction sites, and then hauled to a final disposal site. (The total amount of debris was approximately the size of a football field).

FEMA approved $11,305,017 for KYEM to utilize for contract services for conducting debris removal and debris monitoring activities.

FEMA Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program. Due to of the magnitude of damage from this storm, President Biden authorized a cost share reimbursement of 100% federal funding for this project. All work and costs were between Aug. 8 and Sept. 6, 2022. 

FEMA’s Federal Co-ordinating Officer, John Brogan, said, “In keeping with our mission, this initiative responded to Kentuckians’ plight and helped local communities on their road to recovery.” 

For more information on eastern Kentucky’s recovery from last year’s historic flooding, visit fema.gov/disaster/4663. Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.