FEMA denies disaster aid as Trump begins push to make states responsible

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA, has denied disaster assistance

for three Kentucky counties, according to a letter sent to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

The governor's requests were in response to areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes in May

Now, even though a large number of counties were approved for general federal help with

public infrastructure recovery, certain types of aid were still denied for some counties

FEMA denied individual assistance for Christian and Todd counties in Kentucky and public assistance for Leslie County

FEMA's letter to Governor Beshear said it has been determined that the impact to the individuals and households in Christian and Todd counties is not of the severity and magnitude to warrant their designation under the individual assistance program

The denials come a week after the Trump administration approved public assistance funding for 64 counties hit by April flooding and 36 counties hit by May storms and tornadoes

While we appreciate the individual assistance and public assistance we were granted for most of the affected areas, we are disappointed in the decision

We are actively comparing the damage assessments and we plan to appeal, Governor Beshear said in a statement

Trump said back in June that he wants FEMA to be eliminated by December 2025 after the hurricane season ends, which runs from August through October, and that states should be responsible for responding to disasters

He also said the federal government will give out less money to states dealing with natural disasters

On Tuesday, FEMA announced billions of dollars in federal funds to empower states to prepare for disasters

Last week, FEMA also decided not to grant disaster assistance to Maryland

despite major damage from May flooding. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said he would be appealing the decision

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Keenan. For more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com