Biden to join governor to survey flood damage in Kentucky

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and the primary girl are anticipated to hitch Gov. Andy Beshear and his spouse, Britainy, as they meet with households and consider injury from storms which have created the worst flooding in Kentucky’s historical past.

A minimum of 37 individuals have died since final month’s deluge, which dropped 8 to 10 1/2 inches of rain in solely 48 hours. The Nationwide Climate Service stated Sunday that flooding stays a risk, warning of extra thunderstorms via Thursday.

Monday’s go to might be Biden’s second to the state. He beforehand visited in December after tornadoes whipped via Kentucky, killing 77 individuals and leaving a path of destruction.

“I want I may let you know why we maintain getting hit right here in Kentucky,” Beshear stated just lately. “I want I may let you know why areas the place individuals might not have a lot proceed to get hit and lose every part. I can’t provide the why, however I do know what we do in response to it. And the reply is every part we will. These are our individuals. Let’s be certain that we assist them out.”

Biden has expanded federal catastrophe help to Kentucky, making certain the federal authorities will cowl the complete value of particles removing and different emergency measures.

White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated the Federal Emergency Administration Company has supplied greater than $3.1 million in reduction funds, and tons of of rescue personnel have been deployed to assist.

The flooding got here only one month after Beshear visited Mayfield to have a good time the completion of the primary homes to be absolutely constructed since a twister almost worn out the city. Three households had been handed keys to their new properties that day, and the governor in his remarks hearkened again to a go to he had made within the rapid aftermath.

“I pledged on that day that whereas we had been knocked down, we weren’t knocked out,” Beshear stated. “That we might get again up once more and we might transfer ahead. And 6 months to the day, we’re not simply up, we’re not simply standing on our ft, we’re shifting ahead.”

Now extra disasters are testing the state. Beshear has been to japanese Kentucky as many instances as climate permitted because the flooding started. He’s had each day information conferences stretching an hour to supply particulars together with a full vary of help for victims. Very similar to after the tornadoes, Beshear opened reduction funds going on to individuals within the beleaguered areas.

A Democrat, Beshear narrowly defeated a Republican incumbent in 2019, and he is in search of a second time period in 2023.

Polling has constantly proven him with sturdy approval rankings from Kentuckians. However a number of distinguished Republicans have entered the governor’s race, taking turns pounding the governor for his aggressive pandemic response and making an attempt to tie him to Biden and rising inflation.

Beshear feedback regularly in regards to the toll surging inflation is taking in consuming at Kentuckians’ budgets. He avoids blaming Biden, as an alternative pointing to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and provide chain bottlenecks as contributors to rising client prices.

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Schreiner reported from Frankfort, Kentucky.

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