Kentucky Gov. Beshear Asks Obama For Major Disaster Declaration In The Wake Of Storms, Flooding

May 13, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky.—Following the devastating storms and extensive flooding that have ravaged parts of the state and forced hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians from their homes, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear asked President Barack Obama this afternoon to declare a major disaster for impacted areas of the state.

Currently, 19 counties and six cities have declared a state of emergency, with additional counties in Western Kentucky expected to join declared counties later this evening. Counties declared include Breathitt, Ballard, Carlisle, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Fulton, Grayson, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Madison, Magoffin, Owsley, Perry, Pike counties and the cities of Jackson, Paintsville, Pikeville, Richmond, Salyersville and Coal Run Village. The last three counties to declare—Ballard, Carlisle, and Fulton—indicate that Western Kentucky is now being affected by the recent storm.

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Earlier this week, Gov. Beshear briefed U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on the severe weather’s impact in Eastern Kentucky and indicated the Commonwealth’s intention to seek a federal disaster declaration. Since their discussion, heavy flooding and storm damages have impacted numerous additional counties, making the need for federal assistance imperative.

“When we spoke earlier this week, Sec. Napolitano assured me that Kentucky will be provided with whatever assistance is necessary to help our people through this difficult period,” said Gov. Beshear. “The scope and severity of damages means we still have a lot of work to do and substantial federal assistance will be necessary to help us move forward.”

Flooding and abnormally high water levels throughout both Eastern and Western Kentucky have caused extensive property damage and continued road closures as well as food and water safety risks.

Gov. Beshear has also joined with Attorney General Jack Conway to enact price gouging statutes to investigate any complaints of price gouging in impacted counties.

“I appreciate Gov. Beshear triggering the price-gouging provisions to protect Kentucky families that have been displaced by the recent storms,” General Conway said. “I hope this puts retailers on notice that we will not tolerate people trying to take advantage of our citizens during this difficult time as they try to protect their property, cleanup from the storms and repair the damage.”

The same statutes were triggered during the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and in the wake of January’s ice storm. General Conway encourages anyone with specific information regarding possible price gouging to contact the Office of the Attorney General at 1-888-432-9257.

Source: Kentucky Governor