More than one month after historic flooding hit eastern Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear has requested federal assistance. A statement released by Gov. Beshear’s office this week says the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has assessed flood damage in eastern Kentucky. Beshear has requested a major disaster declaration, which has to be approved by President Biden.
FEMA verified that more 2,000 homes were damaged by flooding in Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Johnson, Lee, Magoffin, Martin and Powell counties. About 7 inches of rain fell over a period of a few days in late February, early March in southeast and southcentral Kentucky.
More than 44 counties reported nearly $50 million dollars in flood-related damage. President Biden accepted Beshear’s previous request for a disaster declaration after winter storms hit the commonwealth earlier in February.