Gov. Beshear, federal officials pledge swift action for Kentuckians after devastating flooding

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Governor Andy Beshear briefed Kentuckians Wednesday evening on the latest flooding recovery efforts in Kentucky.

It comes as two of President Trump's cabinet secretaries visited the Commonwealth earlier in the day to see the damage first hand just days removed from catastrophic flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Small Business Administration (SBA) Secretary Kelly Loeffler flew over the eastern Kentucky flood zones to get a closer look at the devastation.

"Our prayers have been with the Commonwealth but also know that our heart and our hands are here as well," Noem said Wednesday during a news conference.

Earlier this week, the White House signed a major disaster declaration for 10 Kentucky counties, to expedite millions of dollars in federal funding to help homeowners and business owners rebuild their lives.

Governor Beshear said FEMA and SBA offices should be set up in days, and workers are already on the ground now.

"Our goal is to make this the easiest process it can be on people who have gone through a lot," Beshear said. "Once you have been traumatized by a natural disaster you don't need to be traumatized by the process afterwards."

Noem echoed the concern about a tenuous process for people to receive FEMA benefits.

"Less paperwork, less applications and waiting around to see if you are getting help," Noem said during her news conference, adding the process needs to be reform as it is "overwhelming."

"What I hear from victims is just make it easier," Noem said.

Delays getting people money after Hurricane Helene prompted then-candidate Donald Trump to suggest eliminating FEMA.

"What he means by that is that the people that are closet to the individuals that were hurt by a disaster are the ones who know what the need is more than those sitting in Washington, D.C. do," Noem said.

However, less red tape will likely not be in place for this disaster recovery. So to those who face challenges, Beshear said to be persistent and resilient.

"Don't stop if you are denied. We are ready to keep pushing and pushing for you. We want you to get some relief at the end of this," Beshear said.

Beshear said Kentucky's storm relief fund has now raised enough money to cover the funerals for all 23 people who died in the flooding and dangerous cold, raising more than $300,000. To donate to that fund, click here.

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