WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul today sent a letter to President Barack Obama expressing their support for Governor Steve Beshear’s request for a federal disaster declaration for Kentucky.

“Since April 22, record flooding, high winds, and tornados have swept through the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Forty-eight (48) counties and seventeen (17) independent municipalities have requested assistance, as the severe storms caused extensive damage exceeding the ability of the state government and localities to effectively respond and triggering significant economic hardship,” wrote Senators McConnell and Paul.  “Timely and serious consideration of the Governor’s disaster declaration request on your part would aid in providing essential services to Kentucky communities so severely affected by this most recent disaster, the ninth major disaster to impact the Commonwealth in three years.”

A copy of the Senators’ letter is attached.