President George W. Bush approved Governor Fletcher’s request for Federal Declaration for Public Assistance

Frankfort, KY:   For the second time this summer, Governor Ernie Fletcher’s request for federal disaster aid has been answered by a declaration from President George W. Bush that a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.   This disaster declaration is the result of hurricane force winds, severe storms and flooding that began July 13th and continued through July 15th, 2004. 

“I am very pleased that President Bush and officials with FEMA have moved forward once again to help Kentucky recover from these devastating storms,” stated Governor Fletcher.  “Many of Kentucky’s electrical cooperatives and local governments were greatly affected by the recent severe weather.  This federal assistance is crucial to insure that the cleanup and repair costs are not crippling to our local governments and non-profit electrical power services.”

President Bush has ordered that federal aid be made available to supplement state and local recovery efforts in an area recently affected by severe storms, tornados and flooding.  The President’s action makes public assistance available to 26 counties, including Adair, Allen, Barren, Breckenridge, Butler, Clinton, Cumberland, Daviess, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, Larue, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nelson, Ohio, Russell, Spencer, Taylor, Warren, Washington, and Wayne. 

“Public assistance will help repair or replace damaged public roads, buildings and utilities as well as cover a portion of the cost of debris clean-up and disaster-related emergency services,” said Malcolm Franklin, Director of Emergency Management.

Federal funding for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by severe storms and flooding is available to eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis. 

For more information, contact:

Steve Oglesby, Acting Information Officer
Kentucky Division of Emergency Management
502-607-1658
502-330-4153

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