(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) called on President Obama to approve Governor Beshear’s requests for a major disaster declaration and a 100 percent federal cost share for efforts to recover from last week’s severe ice and snow storms.  The new declaration would provide additional emergency funding for The Commonwealth as recovery costs surpass $45 million.

Yarmuth sent the below letter to the President today.

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the Third Congressional District of Kentucky and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I am writing to support Governor Steve Beshear’s request to declare a major disaster for Kentucky under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. 

As you know, a severe ice and snow storm struck Louisville on January 27, 2009 resulting in the worst power outage in Kentucky history. As of today, the storm and its aftermath have tragically resulted in 16 deaths. The storm has shutdown businesses, closed schools, and left downed trees and debris across the Commonwealth. At the height of the storm, nearly 700,000 Kentuckians were left without power and currently, over 60,000 Louisvillians in my Congressional District are without electricity.

The City of Louisville and Commonwealth of Kentucky are committing all the resources they have to responding to this crisis. However, like many state and local governments across the country, they are also facing severe budget shortfalls. I, therefore, request a 100 percent federal cost share for this assistance.

I respectfully urge your immediate attention to this request and ask that you expedite Kentucky’s recovery with a major disaster declaration and additional financial assistance from the federal government. Thank you.

Sincerely,

John Yarmuth
Member of Congress