Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) announced that yesterday President Obama extended an Emergency Declaration to Bath and Menifee Counties, as well as opened up Rowan County to Public Assistance Funding to assist with the flooding and damage that occurred during the May severe storms. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been authorized to provide appropriate assistance for the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s severe storm emergency.

“I am glad to see that President Obama has authorized funds to help the people of Bath, Menifee and Rowan Counties,” said Rogers. “The damage from the raging flood waters, mudslides and severe storms have crippled our local communities and this federal assistance will make a difference to the families and small businesses that need help. While more challenges lie ahead, this declaration will start to move things forward so we can begin to rebuild and recover from these storms. I would also like to applaud the volunteers and local first responders that sacrificed their comfort to help those in need.”

Congressman Rogers, along with the Kentucky Congressional Delegation, sent a letter to President Obama in support of Governor Beshear’s May 3, 2010 request for a disaster declaration. On May 11, 2010 the President declared a federal disaster declaration for 11 counties throughout Kentucky and yesterday the President extended that declaration to Bath, Menifee and Rowan counties. Rowan and Bath Counties are eligible for individual assistance (available to individuals and households for certain storm-related services/repairs) and Menifee and Rowan counties are eligible for public assistance (available to state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations for repairs/emergency work).

Individuals and local governments claiming a storm-related loss and seeking assistance from storm damages should contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at (800) 621-3362 or TTY (800) 462-7585 for persons with speech or hearing disabilities. A disaster recovery center has also opened in Rowan County at the county rescue squad building at 1350 Divide Hill Road in Morehead from 7 am to 7pm daily. Additional information about this disaster and required forms to apply for assistance are available at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/. In order to apply for individual assistance, an applicant should have on hand his/her social security number, current and pre-disaster address, telephone number to be contacted, insurance information, total household annual income, bank routing and account numbers, and a description of losses that were caused by the disaster. The disaster declaration number is FEMA-1912-DR.

As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rogers works to secure funding for important initiatives in the fifth Congressional District.