Kentucky Still Cleaning Up from Ice Storms

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said it will pay the costs not covered by the federal government for cleaning up ice storm debris along roadways in counties declared disaster areas.

Gov. Steve Beshear said Friday that the state will pick up the estimated $14.6 million tab to remove the debris, some of which has been on roadsides since January. The funds cover the difference between the cost of cleanup and what the Federal Emergency Management Agency is paying.

The devastating ice storm in January knocked down trees and power lines, resulting in about 769,000 power outages and at least 36 deaths. The storm resulted in a federal disaster declaration for 93 counties and knocked out most communication in western Kentucky.

State and federal officials have estimated damages from the storm may top $185 million.