WASHINGTON – Continuing his efforts to ensure that Kentucky receives the resources and funds that it needs to clean up and rebuild following the ice storms which devastated the region last month, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) spoke to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) yesterday to request that the federal government shoulder one hundred percent of the costs for repair and clean up.
“Local governments in Kentucky are already facing significant budget shortfalls this year,” Whitfield said. “The additional financial burden imposed by the ice storms is simply too much for our counties and towns to bear. It is essential that FEMA step up to the plate and ensure that local officials have the funds and resources they need to clean up and rebuild.”
Whitfield spoke to FEMA Acting Administrator Nancy Ward and expressed the dire need for FEMA to pay for one hundred percent of the repair costs from damage which occurred following the initial storm. Administrator Ward told Whitfield that FEMA was still reviewing the request, but that she expected damage assessments to be finalized by next week.
Typically under such circumstances when an emergency is declared, the federal government pays 75 percent of the costs and state and local governments pay the other 25 percent. During the phone call, Whitfield told Administrator Ward that the severity of the storms, which crippled much of the Commonwealth and most of the First Congressional District, warranted FEMA covering the entire costs of clean-up and repair under the emergency declaration. The Congressman is exploring ways to increase the federal cost share for the overall storm clean-up which is expected to take months and a heavy toll on county and city budgets.
Whitfield joined the entire Kentucky Congressional Delegation last week in sending a letter to President Barack Obama asking for this one hundred percent seven-day cost-share, which Governor Steve Beshear previously requested. Whitfield and his staff have continued to be actively involved in recovery efforts, working with FEMA and the Kentucky National Guard. The Congressman has also stayed in close contact with utility companies and emergency workers to make certain that power is fully restored as quickly as possible.
