Gov. Steve Beshear says he will ask President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster in Kentucky, which will open the state to immediate federal financial assistance in the wake of last week’s devastating ice storm.
The governor said the cost of cleanup now exceeds $45 million, the threshold for receiving a major disaster declaration, and is rising.
At its height, the storm knocked out power to more than 700,000 Kentucky homes and businesses, a state record.
Every member of Kentucky’s National Guard has been called up to help with recovery efforts, and at least 16 storm-related deaths have been confirmed.
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