AER offers assistance to victims of Eastern Kentucky flooding

Severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides hit the state of Kentucky starting July 26, and preliminary reports say more than 700 homes have been destroyed or suffered major damage, according to the American Red Cross. Trained disaster workers helped more than 480 residents Aug. 4 in shelters across the eastern part of the state. National Guard assets from multiple states, including hundreds of Soldiers and Airmen, are supporting search-and-rescue, transportation and water and food distribution missions, according to the National Guard Bureau.

FEMA announced July 29 federal disaster assistance was available to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected, including direct assistance to Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe counties.

Army Emergency Relief is joining in the effort to help those forced to leave their homes due to the flooding by providing financial assistance for travel-related expenses associated with returning to an evacuated home, basic essential needs to sustain oneself during recovery and any other essential needs associated with restoration that affect life, health or safety.

Those eligible for AER disaster assistance are:

Soldiers on Active Duty and their eligible Family Members;
Soldiers Retired from Active Duty because of longevity and their eligible Family Members;
Retired Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers receiving retired pay and their Family Members;
Medically Retired Soldiers and their dependents, including both those placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List or Temporary Disability Retirement List;
Surviving Spouses and Children of Soldiers who died while on Active Duty (including those on Title 10 Orders) or in an eligible Retired status;
Members of the Reserve Component of the Army (National Guard and Army Reserve under Title 10 U.S.C) on continuous Active Duty for more than 30 consecutive days and their eligible Family Members;
Title 10, Title 32 and TPU Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers NOT mobilized, or are mobilized for LESS THAN 30 consecutive days and those activated in support of Eastern Kentucky Flooding relief efforts.

To find out more, contact your local AER Officer, fill out our Contact Us form or check out the Eastern Kentucky Flooding Disaster Assistance Bulletin.