FEMA: Multiple forms of aid available to McCracken disaster survivors ahead of June 25 deadline

MCCRACKEN COUNTY — Homeowners in McCracken County who have wells or septic systems that were damaged by April's severe weather, flooding and related impacts may be eligible for federal assistance regarding those costs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday.

Noting that flood insurance usually doesn't cover septic systems and wells, FEMA said those eligible for assistance live in McCracken County or Anderson, Butler, Carroll, Christian, Clark, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jessamine, Mercer, Owen and Woodford counties. To qualify, the damage to the homeowner's well or septic system must have occurred during the severe storms that began on April 2.

In a news release, FEMA explained that eligible services for septic tanks can include cleaning, repairs or replacement.

For a well that serves as the sole source of water for a home, awards are available for repairs or decontamination.

To learn if they are eligible, homeowners are advised to check with their homeowner's insurance or flood insurance providers to learn whether their well or septic system is covered.

Uninsured or underinsured properties may be eligible for FEMA assistance.

The federal agency is reminding Kentuckians eligible for this aid and other forms of FEMA assistance to apply as soon as possible, as the deadline is June 25.

Kentuckians in the 13 disaster-declared counties can apply for Serious Needs Assistance, child care assistance and more.

Serious Needs Assistance can help pay for emergency supplies such as food, water, first aid, breastfeeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items or fuel for transportation, the agency explained in another news release.

FEMA provides Serious Needs Assistance as a one-time payment of $770 per household.

The agency noted that the deadline to apply for this particular form of assistance is earlier than June 25. Serious Needs Assistance is available for 30 days from the date of declaration for Individual Assistance in all disasters. Because the date of declaration for this event — designated as disaster declaration DR-4864-KY — was April 24, the deadline to apply is May 24.

When it comes to Child Care Assistance, FEMA said April storm survivors may be eligible if they did not have child care expenses before the disaster, but did take on those expenses afterward because of the disaster.

To be eligible, those child care expenses cannot be covered by another source. Survivors do not have to have property damage to qualify for this assistance.

FEMA said Child Care Assistance may be available for up to eight weeks per child or per household, and the maximum amount is $1,260 per child.

For those who could not return to their homes following April's severe weather and flooding event, displacement assistance is available. That assistance takes the form of a one-time payment covering up to two weeks of fund for temporary lodging in a hotel, motel or the homes of friend and family members.

There are multiple ways to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply in person, a Disaster Recovery Center is available in the Complex Training Room of the McCracken County Emergency Management building at 3700 Coleman Road.

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Kentuckians can also apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA mobile app or over the phone by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The line is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT.