Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) sent the following letter to Governor Steve Beshear, urging him to request a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Louisville and other areas devastated by Sunday's storm damage.

The Honorable Steven L. Beshear
700 Capital Avenue
Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601

Dear Mr. Governor,

On behalf of the Third Congressional District of Kentucky, I urge you to call for the President to issue a major disaster declaration for Jefferson County and provide needed assistance for those impacted by the storms that devastated Louisville.

As you are well aware, the remnants of Hurricane Ike struck Kentucky on Sunday, peaking in Louisville with winds of 75 miles per hour.  Our community is still in the early stages of rebuilding, and I urge you to formally request disaster assistance from the President without delay. 

I have already asked Speaker Pelosi and David Obey, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, to expedite the process of providing disaster assistance funding.  In my talks with them, I have learned that Jefferson County is likely to qualify for congressional disaster assistance, but only after an emergency declaration is issued by the White House.

I, therefore, urge you to act swiftly for the welfare of my constituents and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This assistance will help communities in cleaning up wreckage and debris, repairing homes that were damaged, and providing small businesses with the resources necessary to recover.  

I appreciate your immediate attention to this urgent situation.

Sincerely,


John Yarmuth
Member of Congress