Trump pledges $9.1 million in aid to Kentucky for damage from June storms

Karla Ward, Lexington Herald-Leader on Sep 2, 2026

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — President Donald Trump has approved $9.1 million in public assistance to Kentucky through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The aid, announced by Trump on TruthSocial Tuesday night, is intended to help the state recover from a wave of severe storms that brought flooding, strong winds and other damage June 17-30.

Congressman Andy Barr’s office said in a news release that 20 counties — Bullitt, Butler, Clinton, Cumberland, Garrard, Grayson, Green, Hardin, Henderson, Jackson, Jessamine, Madison, Meade, Mercer, Metcalfe, Ohio, Owsley, Rockcastle, Spencer, and Wayne — will be eligible for the public assistance.

As of Tuesday night, FEMA’s website did not list a major disaster declaration related to the June severe weather.

Six people died as a result of the severe weather in June, three of whom were in Madison County. States of emergency were declared in 19 counties and 13 cities. Some parts of the state got as much as 10 inches of rain in one weekend.

On July 23, the governor sent a formal request for a major disaster declaration, asking for both public and individual assistance, as well as hazard mitigation funding.

“Public and Individual Assistance will be essential to help families recover, and we’re working hard to secure this federal support,” Beshear said in a social media post at the time.

While the public assistance program gives governments and some nonprofits grants for recovery, the individual assistance program helps people affected by disasters pay for temporary housing, home repairs and related expenses.

Kentucky’s congressional delegation, led by Barr, sent Trump a letter supporting the request for a disaster declaration on July 28.

“The compounding effect of the waves of storms and rain have resulted in far more damage than had these weather events been isolated,” the letter read in part. “A total of 42 homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable, and over 100 businesses have been affected. Many roads, bridges, and electric infrastructure are severely damaged, causing a considerable economic impact across the state.”

Barr said in the news release Tuesday night that he had spoken to the president by phone and was “grateful” for the public assistance.

“I will always fight to deliver for the people of our Commonwealth,” he said.

Beshear was asked about the status of the requests for assistance at his Team Kentucky news conference Thursday.

He said he appreciated the support from Barr and the congressional delegation in asking for aid.

“We have not had a response to it, and this one isn’t close, right. It qualifies,” Beshear said. “All the president has to do is say yes.”

Beshear said Trump won in the areas affected.

“The majority of people voted for him,” he said. “So if that’s what he’s looking at — because we have seen blue states not getting these, and red states doing them — then hopefully he will approve them. I’ll give him whatever information he needs, but these are two communities that deserve it and haven’t gotten it yet.”