Kentucky’s congressional delegation unite behind Beshear in letter to Trump

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Kentucky’s entire congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump in support of Governor Andy Beshear’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration.

Trump approved the request from Beshear over the weekend for an emergency disaster declaration; this allowed federal resources to help with the emergency response and activated FEMA in the state.

“The storm triggered significant flooding, landslides and mudslides, causing extensive damage to both state and local infrastructure, and tragically claiming at least 14 lives. While precise damage assessments cannot be completed at this time due to ongoing high floodwaters in affected areas, it is estimated that more than 8,000 homes and businesses have been either destroyed or severely damaged,” the delegation wrote in the letter. “The Commonwealth is currently forecasted to receive more inclement weather in the coming days, further complicating the response and recovery.”

However, the upgrade to an expedited major disaster declaration would extend federal assistance to all impacted counties that meet the threshold for public and individual assistance.

The president has yet to approve the upgrade.