FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Kentucky’s entire Congressional delegation has joined in a letter to President Donald Trump, in support of Gov. Andy Beshear’s request to expand the major disaster declaration for parts of the state that suffered historic flooding and other severe weather in April.
U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, and Representatives Hal Rogers, Brett Guthrie, Andy Barr, James Comer, Thomas Massie, and Morgan McGarvey joined together in sending a letter to the President, expressing their support following the Governor's request for Public Assistance in 85 counties, additional Individual Assistance for 24 counties, and Hazard Mitigation for all 120 Kentucky counties, as a result of the devastating flooding, severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides, last month.
Currently, 13 counties have received the individual assistance designation from the President, all of which were part of Beshear’s initial request, and officials are awaiting word from the White House on whether the expansion of the major disaster declaration will be approved.
Kentucky’s federal delegation wrote in the letter, which was sent on Thursday, May 8, “As you know, the torrential rainfall, flash flooding, and tornadoes that occurred across Kentucky because of the April storms led to widespread damage to critical public infrastructure including roads, bridges, and water distribution systems. Recent reports indicate hundreds of households have been impacted, and more than 500 local, state, and federal roadways were underwater or closed because of mudslides at one point during the event, which further hindered the initial response and assessment of damages. As communities begin to rebuild and families begin to recoup their homes, federal assistance is critical to ensuring Kentuckians can safely resume their lives.”
According to the National Weather Service office in Louisville, “Moderate to major river flooding occurred on most area rivers due to the excessive rainfall. Some of the hardest hit river basins included the Kentucky, Green, Rough, Rolling Fork and Ohio. Some river crests were historic, including a new record crest at Camp Nelson on the Kentucky River and the second highest all-time crest at Frankfort. The crest at McAlpine Upper on the Ohio River was #8 all time.”
Seven people lost their lives across the state, due to the severe weather and flooding.
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Written by Tom Latek. Cross-posted from Kentucky Today.
