Mayfield, Ky.–Speaking in tornado-ravaged Mayfield today, President Joe Biden pledged that the federal government will pay for 100% of Kentucky’s tornado recovery for first 30 days.
“Don’t hesitate to ask for anything,” the president said. “If we can’t do it, we’ll tell you we can’t, and we’ll tell you from experience how you can maybe get it done…if you can’t get it done through the federal way,” he told officials.
Biden also toured Dawson Springs, which also was hard hit and is the home of Governor Andy Beshear’s father, who is former Gov. Steven Beshear.
Governor Beshear said after the president’s visit, “President Biden stood with my Dad, First Lady Britainy Beshear and me in Dad’s hometown of Dawson Springs. This community has lost 75% of their homes. It’s absolutely devastating. But today, they saw the entire commonwealth and country are with them.
“I am so thankful to President Biden, who has said yes to every ask that we’ve made. I wish the circumstances had been different, but it was a privilege to introduce the President in my dad’s hometown of Dawson Springs this afternoon. We’re going to get through this, Kentucky.”
Biden signed a federal emergency disaster declaration for multiple counties. According to a news release from the White House, that action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency.
FEMA is on site at areas hit by Friday’s tornadoes.
Photo: President Biden with Governor Andy Beshear and the First Lady, with former Gov. Steven Beshear. (Governor’s office photo).