How to get emergency help after Kentucky tornado disaster

As Kentucky recovers from the devastating tornadoes of December 10th, emergency services have geared up to help.

On December 12th, President Biden declared the following Kentucky counties as disaster areas: Caldwell, Fulton, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Taylor, and Warren County. 

This means federal agencies such as FEMA will be used to supplement local and Commonwealth recovery efforts.

If you are in need of emergency services in Kentucky:

• For immediate emergency help, always call 9-1-1.
• For shelter, contact the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 or download the Red Cross Emergency App here.
• For food in your county, visit the Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland website here.
• For assistance for problems caused by the tornadoes (such as financial, food, and legal help), visit DisasterAssistance.gov here.
• For help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
  • Visit FEMA’s website here.
  • Call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 (7-1-1 and Video Relay Services are available) 
  • Call FEMA at (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. 

Also, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is providing immediate foreclosure relief for families who have FHA insured mortgages and to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. For assistance, call your loan servicer or FHA's Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asked Kentuckians who live in hard hit communities but are safe and have power to “stay off the roads.” 

Beshear said, “Let our first responders get to everybody. Don’t go to these areas to see it. We need to make sure those who do this work can do it at the fastest possible speed.”

For more information on what to do before, during, and after a disaster, read our Housing and Natural Disasters Guide here.