WASHINGTON, DC —  Kentucky’s Federal Delegation sent a letter to President Biden requesting additional financial relief for counties facing exorbitant costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures as flood relief efforts continue across Eastern Kentucky’s rural communities. U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, Dean of the House, joined U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Rand Paul, along with Congressmen John Yarmuth, Brett Guthrie, Thomas Massie, Andy Barr and James Comer in support of the request.

“The sparsely populated counties that were affected by this disaster were already facing daunting challenges in terms of limited budgetary resources; the damage to the area’s economy and infrastructure have only exacerbated those challenges, making it unlikely that these counties will have the capacity to meet a potential 25 percent non-federal match outside of the 30-day, 100 percent federal cost share period for debris removal and emergency protective measures,” the letter stated.

Kentucky’s Congressional leaders sent the letter in support of Governor Andy Beshear’s request to modify the Major Disaster Declaration to reflect a 90 percent federal cost share.

“We have tragically lost 40 Kentuckians, in addition to excessive loss of private property and critical infrastructure. Many Kentuckians are still living in temporary shelters, and the recovery is only beginning for so many families in the affected communities,” the letter stated.

The letter can be viewed below: