Resources Following the 2025 Flood
Info on Impacts, How HDA is Helping, FEMA, Volunteering & More!
UPDATED 2/26/25
HAZARD, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2025) – The people of Eastern Kentucky had some of their worst fears realized this month, and in a cruel twist of fate, it happened on Valentine’s Day weekend, prompting some to refer to the event as an “Appalachian heartbreak.”
And heartbreaking it was.
Another devastating flood hit the region less than 3 years after what was termed a 1,000-year flood in July of 2022. While the damage left behind by the 2025 flood doesn’t appear as catastrophic as that of 2022, the damage was more widespread, with Gov. Beshear calling it the “most serious event in a decade.”
The biggest difference between the two floods is that the 2025 flood was largely a river flood, while the flooding in 2022 involved the historic rise of typically tranquil creeks and streams in mountain hollows throughout 13 counties.
Judging from preliminary reports, it seems that the hardest hit areas this time were in Pike County, Floyd County, and Perry County. So far, there have been 23 confirmed weather-related deaths.
As far as the actual reported regionwide impacts, this is what we know:
- At least a dozen river sites had preliminary crests within the top 5 recorded crests.
- There have been 300+ road closures.
- At its peak, over 40,000 Eastern Kentuckians were without power. Many remained without power even as a winter storm moved in a couple of days later, bringing subzero temperatures and leaving behind several inches of snow.
- Over 1,000 water rescues were reported.
- At least 7 wastewater systems are out of service.
- There were 14 reported mudslides.
- 5 state parks closed due to flooding.
- Hundreds have been displaced from homes; Jenny Wiley State Resort Park (Floyd County), Natural Bridge State Resort Park (Powell & Wolfe counties), and Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park (Perry County) have been accepting displaced residents – as of the time of writing, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is full.
*info courtesy of the National Weather Service
In Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, and Perry counties, which comprise the service area of the Housing Development Alliance (HDA), the early numbers are certainly troubling. These are the local impacts according to officials in each county; however, all numbers and reports are subject to change:
Breathitt County
- 50 homes were flood-impacted.
- 10 homes are destroyed or have significant damage.
Knott County
- 60 homes have either major or minor damage
- 100 homes affected by mudslides, debris damage, or have well damage.
- 1000s of private driveways and bridges damaged.
Leslie County
- 60 homes reported to have “quite a lot of damage” / perhaps at least 100 homes affected
- 15 homes have been destroyed.
- 4 families have lost everything.
- 60+ people are still stranded behind floodwaters in the Confluence community. It is presently unknown if any homes there were damaged.
Perry County
- 77 homes received major damage.
- 15 homes have been destroyed.
- 61 homes received minor damages.
- 17 other homes were “affected.”
- 60+ businesses have been “affected.”
- Over 200 calls came into the Perry County Fiscal Court reporting flooded homes, and over 100 people signed up in the days immediately following the flood requesting assistance.
How is HDA Helping?
Instead of participating in immediate flood relief efforts (like flood cleanup, mucking, and gutting), HDA will maintain its focus on long-term recovery.
HDA expects to break ground on the state’s high-ground sites at Skyview (Perry County) and Chestnut Ridge (Knott County) this spring. At Skyview, HDA will begin construction on five model homes before moving on to building 32 homes, which are being funded by Team Kentucky as was recently announced by Gov. Beshear.
Gov. Beshear announced that $6 million from Kentucky’s Disaster Recovery Program is going to the Housing Development Alliance to build 32 homes at the Skyview high-ground neighborhood in Perry County. Flood survivors of the 2022 and 2025 floods are encouraged to go to HousingCantWait.org.
Get Help Now!In addition to building new homes on higher ground and on land outside of the flood zone, HDA is currently assessing other ways in which it can best serve the community. Although no decisions have yet been made, potential projects in home rehabilitation, affordable rental development, and climate resilient housing are all being considered.
2022 flood survivors and low-income families desiring to have an affordable home in a safer location should call the HDA office at 606-436-0497 to complete an intake.
Middle-income families may also make inquiries about new homes being built on either higher ground or out of any flood-prone areas by HDA’s Hope Building Program. For that information, those interested should email our Intake Specialist or call us to complete an intake.
2025 flood survivors and any flood-affected businesses or residences in need of help should contact Crisis Cleanup (details below).
FEMA & Reporting to Local Government
UPDATE: Individual assistance has been approved! Below is information released by the Governor’s Office. (See the full press release here.)
How to Apply: Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or other similar service, can give FEMA the number for that service.
When applying for assistance, make sure:
- You upload your documents online via the FEMA App or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Your damaged home is your primary residence.
- You haven’t received assistance for the same losses from another source, including insurance.
- You are able to be reached by FEMA at the contact information you provide in the application.
If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you may appeal:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- In person at a Disaster Recovery Centers, which will open in coming days.
- Or by mail or fax.
PREVIOUS REPORT
Currently, only public assistance is being provided by FEMA, which is standard procedure during disasters. At this stage, FEMA coordinates with local governments to respond to disasters and funds some long-term disaster mitigation and relief programs. Kentucky has applied for FEMA’s “individual assistance” program, with the initial application for aid being for Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, and Pike counties. Note that counties can be added to the list as they meet a threshold for documented damages. (Floyd County was added Feb. 25th.) That’s why it is imperative that those affected send in photos and other evidence of damage to their local government. If anyone has questions, they should reach out to their local fiscal court.
If the application is approved, affected individuals and households have 18 months to apply for grants for household repairs and replacement of damaged property. If someone is denied assistance, they can appeal the decision as many times as needed.
Volunteering
If you’re looking to volunteer with flood clean up in our service area, here are some options for you!
- Perry County volunteer sign up form
- Breathitt County volunteer sign up form
- Knott County: volunteers should contact Glenda Shrum
- Leslie County: volunteers can contact Dusty Baker at 606-275-0396
Kentucky Emergency Management has also listed a number to call for trained volunteers to help out in the area. The volunteer hotline is (502) 607-6665. Operators are available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern). After hours, voicemail is available.
