By CHAD ABSHIRE

Staff Writer

More than $14 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved for victims of the recent severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that struck Kentucky between Feb. 29 and March 3.

“The swift action by our local, state and federal partners in response to this natural disaster has allowed millions of federal dollars to go directly to our families as they recover and rebuild their lives,” Gov. Steve Beshear said. “We will continue to monitor and assist in these long-term recovery efforts until every community is stable and thriving once again.”

So far:

• Over 5,000 Kentuckians in 21 designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance;

• More than $6.3 million has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs;

• More than 2,580 homes sustained damages. Of those, more than 671 were destroyed;

• Over 4,400 households have received FEMA grants to help pay for temporary housing;

• Over 2,940 inspections of damaged properties have been conducted;

• Over $6.7 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses has been approved by the Small Business Administration;

• Nearly $1.6 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.

The 14 Kentucky counties eligible for help from FEMA’s Public Assistance program are Ballard, Grant, Johnson, Kenton, Larue, Laurel, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Morgan, Pendleton, Trimble and Wolfe.

Commonwealth counties eligible for Individual Assistance are Bath, Campbell, Carroll, Grant, Grayson, Johnson, Kenton, Larue, Laurel, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Rowan, Russell, Trimble and Wolfe.

Kentucky Emergency Management and FEMA are encouraging Kentuckians to make sure that friends, neighbors and family members have registered with FEMA for federal disaster assistance.

The federal disaster assistance registration deadline for Individual Assistance is May 7.