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Kentucky Tornado Survivors Rely on Support From Local Community and State as Governor Urges Feds for Help
- On May 20, 2025, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear formally asked President Donald Trump to quickly approve federal disaster aid to assist with tornado-related damage in eight counties, including Laurel and Pulaski.
- This request followed an EF-4 tornado outbreak on May 16 that caused 19 deaths and destroyed or majorly damaged over 1,500 homes, prompting local and state assessments.
- Communities like Sunshine Hills in Laurel County continue rebuilding mainly through local volunteer support while FEMA conducts preliminary damage assessments in affected areas.
- Beshear noted debris removal could exceed 1.5 million cubic yards at costs above $59 million, and more than 800 people remain sheltered due to the storm's widespread impact.
- Approval of the disaster declaration could provide federal aid for individual recovery and infrastructure repair, with the governor emphasizing severe economic and community needs in the region.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The Sentinel-Echo
UPDATE: President Trump approves disaster declaration for Kentucky
A week after the deadly tornado struck London, President Donald Trump has approved the commonwealth's request for a federal disaster declaration that will activate FEMA resources for survivors in Laurel County.
Richmond Register
LINK nkyAs tornado disrupts region’s tourism economy, Beshear asks Trump for expedited disaster declaration
An initial state assessment finds it could cost more than $59 million to clean up more than 1.5 million cubic yards of debris from buildings and vegetation damaged by a tornado that tore through Somerset and London last week.
As tornado disrupts region's tourism economy, Beshear asks Trump for expedited disaster declaration • Kentucky Lantern
James Sexton pauses in what's left of his house in the Sunset Hills neighborhood of London, May 18, 2025. A tornado struck the area just after midnight the day before. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images)An initial state assessment finds it could cost more than $59 million to clean up more than 1.5 million cubic yards of debris from buildings and vegetation damaged by a tornado that tore through Somerset and London last week. That’s according…
Gov. Andy Beshear pens letter to Trump seeking expedited disaster relief from tornado - NKyTribune
By Tom Latek Kentucky Today Gov. Andy Beshear has sent a letter to President Trump requesting an expedited major disaster declaration for Kentucky due to the deadly tornado outbreak that began May 16, and led to 19 deaths -17 in Laurel County and one each in Pulaski and Russell counties. In his letter, the governor said preliminary damage surveys indicate that more than 1,500 homes were destroyed or received major damage and indicated the number…
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