Jackson Purchase News

In response to the severe weather that struck Kentucky in April, members of the Kentucky Congressional Delegation have rallied behind Governor Andy Beshear's plea for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration. The delegation, including prominent figures like U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Rand Paul, and several Representatives, expressed their support for the Governor's request in a letter to President Joe Biden.

The state of Kentucky was hit by severe wind, thunderstorms, mudslides, and flooding, with more than a dozen tornadoes causing widespread damage. The aftermath of the storms left over 32,000 customers without power and tragically resulted in the injury of twenty-two individuals, with one fatality recorded.

In their letter to President Biden, the Kentucky delegation highlighted the state's history of facing major disasters, stating, "Kentucky has faced a number of Major Disasters in recent years." They emphasized the urgent need for federal assistance, citing the state's previous Major Disaster Declarations and the repeated inclusion of certain counties in disaster declarations.

Governor Beshear's recent request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration aims to unlock access to FEMA assistance for the mitigation of future disasters across the state, benefiting individual citizens in eleven specific counties. The delegation's unified support for this request underscores the critical need for federal aid in the face of ongoing challenges posed by natural disasters.

The solidarity shown by Kentucky's federal delegation in advocating for the state's recovery and preparedness in the wake of the recent severe weather events highlights the importance of federal support in times of crisis.