Did the Kentucky tornadoes damage your home or belongings? Here's how to get help from FEMA

Mandy McLaren, Louisville Courier Journal
·5 min read

Note: Information in Spanish about FEMA assistance is available at https://www.fema.gov/es

Survivors of the Dec. 10 tornado in Western Kentucky can get help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Here's what you need to know:

Who is eligible?

Homeowners and renters whose residences and property were damaged in Barren, Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren counties are eligible to apply for FEMA assistance.

Kentucky tornadoes: What to know about damage, death toll, how to help and more

What kind of assistance can FEMA provide?

  • Lodging Expense Reimbursement for hotel expenses for uninsured applicants whose homes were unlivable after the flood. Keep copies of receipts.

  • Home Repair/Replacement Assistance for disaster losses not already covered by another source.

  • Rental Assistance for alternative housing if the home was made unlivable by the disaster.

  • Personal Property Assistance to repair or replace essential, uninsured personal property damaged by the disaster.

  • Transportation Assistance for primary vehicles damaged by the disaster.

  • Medical and Dental Assistance for uninsured medical and dental needs or losses caused by the disaster.

  • Funeral Assistance related to a death attributed directly or indirectly to the disaster.

What's left of a home on N. Sixth Street in Mayfield, Ky., Dec. 23, 2021. A FEMA team was going door-to-door to meet survivors of the devastating Dec. 10 tornado in order to register them for federal financial assistance.
What's left of a home on N. Sixth Street in Mayfield, Ky., Dec. 23, 2021. A FEMA team was going door-to-door to meet survivors of the devastating Dec. 10 tornado in order to register them for federal financial assistance.

How do I apply?

Residents in the designated counties can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. When you apply, you will need to provide:

  • A current phone number where you can be contacted.

  • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.

  • Your Social Security Number.

  • A general list of damage and losses.

  • Banking information if you choose direct deposit.

  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

Those with limited vision or hearing can watch an accessible video on how to apply for FEMA assistance by going to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.

More: From decimated streets to the Super 8 hotel, FEMA agents cover Kentucky tornado zone

Where can I get in-person help?

For in-person assistance, tornado survivors can visit one of FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center locations. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Monday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. CST Sunday, until further notice. All recovery centers will be closed New Year’s Day.

As of Dec. 28, the following Kentucky Disaster Recovery Center Locations are open:

Hopkins County

Central High School, 6625 Hopkinsville Road, Madisonville, 42431

Warren County

Former Sears location at Greenwood Mall, 2625 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, 42104

Caldwell County

Butler Gymnasium, 600 W. Main St., Princeton, 42445

Muhlenberg County

Neal’s Chapel General Baptist Church, State Route 81, Sacramento, 42372

Marshall County

Joe Creason Community Center, 1600 Park Ave., Benton, 42025

The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are federal facilities, and under COVID-19 protocols a face mask is required. If you do not have a mask, one can be provided. For an updated list of locations, as well as information on mobile assistance centers, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4630.

'Tornado Alley' is expanding: Southern states see more twisters now than ever before

When and how will I get the funds?

There is no specific timeline for how fast survivors will receive funds, though Kentucky survivors have reported receiving FEMA rental assistance within one or two business days of their application.

Survivors choose whether they want the funds direct deposited into their bank account or mailed to them as a check. For direct deposit, survivors must provide their bank account type, account number and bank routing number.

FEMA recommends direct deposit, as it allows survivors to access funds faster.

How much assistance should I expect?

Each claim will be considered individually.

For those seeking immediate assistance for temporary housing, FEMA will pay two months rent based on average rental prices in the county of the survivor's address. In Mayfield, for example, FEMA will pay approximately $500 for one month of rent for a one-bedroom apartment.

Homeowners with home insurance must first submit a claim to their insurance company. If the insurance company does not provide enough funds to cover the totality of damage, insured homeowners may be eligible for assistance from FEMA. Survivors cannot receive funds from their insurance company and FEMA for the same damage.

Uninsured homeowners may be immediately eligible for FEMA assistance. For fiscal 2021, the maximum amount FEMA will disburse for costs associated with home replacement and repairs is $36,000.

What if I need more financial help?

Survivors with additional property damage not covered by FEMA may apply for a low-interest loan from the Small Business Administration.

Homeowners may apply for up to $200,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Renters and homeowners may borrow up to $40,000 to replace or repair personal property — such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances — damaged or destroyed in a disaster, according to the SBA.

The interest rate on these SBA loans will not exceed 4%.

FEMA will notify survivors if they are eligible for an SBA loan. Specialists recommend eligible survivors apply to see how much of a loan they qualify for, even if they're not yet sure they will need one or want to take one out.

What if I don't have a Social Security number?

Survivors without a Social Security number, such as undocumented immigrants, can apply for assistance using the name and SSN of a minor living in their household.

Undocumented survivors will not have to provide any information on their immigration status or sign any documents regarding their status.

Candle factory update: Why Kentucky law will make it hard for candle factory workers hurt in tornado to win lawsuit

When is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply for federal assistance is Feb. 11, 2022.

Mandy McLaren: 502-582-4525; mmclaren@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @mandy_mclaren.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Looking for assistance after the Kentucky tornadoes? FEMA can help