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Federal assistance will now be available to repair county roads and infrastructure

WASHINGTON, DC - On Wednesday, President Joe Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the deadly ice storms in February that left behind costly damages and extended power outages across Kentucky. The declaration comes less than two weeks after Kentucky's Congressional Delegation  urged President Biden to activate federal aid for the Commonwealth, a request issued by Governor Andy Beshear.

"Our small county governments have been working on overdrive since early February to remove debris and repair roads, water and sewer lines, and other facilities that were damaged during the ice storms. This declaration provides emergency federal funding through FEMA to help pay for repairs and reimburse those unexpected costs that have been draining local county budgets," said Congressman Rogers. 

Federal funding is available for the Commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storms, landslides, and mudslides in the counties of Bath, Boyd, Boyle, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Garrard, Greenup, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Magoffin, Marion, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Nelson, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe. Funding will also be available through hazard mitigation grants to help prevent damage from future storms.

The lingering ice storms also contributed to the severity of historic flooding that began on February 28, 2021. According to Governor Beshear, FEMA has completed damage assessments of more than 2,100 homes and is in the last phase of reviewing impacts to over 40 county infrastructures. Kentucky's Congressional Delegation stands ready to support the Governor's second request for a Major Disaster Declaration. 

"With more than 2,100 homes impacted by recent flooding, it will be detrimental for federal assistance to be available to help families rebuild and replace what they have lost in Eastern Kentucky," said Congressman Rogers. "I was honored to help deliver donations and cleaning supplies to our hardest-hit counties, but long-term flood relief efforts will require emergency home loans and continued support." 

For more information about federal major disaster declarations, visit  FEMA.gov

Click here to download the Delegation's letter to the President. 

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