Governor Beshear has renewed his request for federal help to deal with hazard mitigation for the entire state. Hazard mitigation is often referred to as the FEMA Buyout Program. This is where FEMA can offer to purchase the land of someone who has been flooded multiple times so they can move to a safer location.
During a press conference, Governor Beshear said this program has helped many Kentuckians since the 2022 floods.
“You look at mitigation dollars thus far, have covered the buyout of over 500 homes from the 2022 floods, the July 2022 floods. Those 500 homes are in Knott, Perry, Breathitt, Letcher, and Floyd Counties and the city of Jackson in Breathitt.”
The governor said these hazard mitigation funds have plenty of other uses too.
“These dollars also bought hundreds of generators which keep critical government services operating during power failures. So, we're committed to seeking those dollars as well, and we hope we can get a reconsideration from the federal government.”
The governor says those funds have also helped build over 100 safe rooms. Those are shelters to help protect Kentuckians in the areas hit often by tornados.
