FEMA is making changes to help Eastern Kentucky flood victims. Here's how
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency is making adjustments to help Eastern Kentucky residents reeling from last month's deadly flooding, including starting its first-ever texting service and giving workers in disaster recovery centers the authority to approve claims in-person.
"So, if your claim is still in process, go to one of the disaster recovery centers," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a press conference Monday about the flooding, which killed 39 people. "They can work on your claim. If you've been denied, also go to one of these disaster recovery centers."
You can get approved there, Beshear said. "This is a big deal."
FEMA has begun calling applicants who were denied assistance. But out of 4,006 applicants who have been called, only 1,508 have answered. Beshear urged people to answer when their phone rings.
"I think everyone in this instance wants to be better," he said.
Where are the FEMA center locations for Eastern Kentucky?
Breathitt County Library: 1024 College Ave., Jackson, KY 41339
Oneida Elementary: 435 Newfound Road, Oneida, KY 40972
Clay County Community Center: 311 Highway 638, Manchester, KY 40962
Christian Appalachian Project: 94 Academy Way, Martin, KY 41649 (Multi-Agency Resource Center)
Knott County Sportsplex: 450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765, Leburn, KY 41831
Letcher County Recreation Center: 1505 Jenkins Road, Whitesburg, KY 41858
Hazard Community College: 1 Community Drive, Hazard, KY 41701
Dorton Community Center: 112 Dorton Hill Road, Jenkins, KY 41722
During these in-person meetings, disaster survivors can apply for FEMA assistance and know in real-time if they have been denied and why. More people are expected to apply for FEMA assistance as the state moves into the next phase of recovery.
Eastern Kentucky deaths:These are the people we lost in the Eastern Kentucky flooding
Beshear said other disaster recovery centers will also open soon at these sites:
Leslie County - Flood Plains Management Building
Magoffin County - Magoffin County Health Department
Martin County - Martin County Business Center
Owsley County - Owsley Recreation Center
Whitley County - Whitley County Home Health Agency
There are also also two mobile registration sites available with more to come, Beshear said. Those two are:
Magoffin County Health Department, 119 E. Mountain Pkwy, Salyersville, KY 41465
Owsley Recreation Center, 99 County Barn Road, Booneville, KY 41314
Next phase:Death toll in Eastern Kentucky flood climbs; Beshear says area moving to stabilization phase
To contact FEMA about registering for assistance, call 1-800-621-3362.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: FEMA makes changes to help Eastern Kentucky flood victims denied help