For Immediate Release
March 3, 1998
Contact: Melissa Forsythe or Mark Pfeiffer
(502) 564-2611

Governor Secures Federal Aid for Counties Hit Hard by February Snow Storm

Frankfort, Ky. - Federal disaster assistance is on its way to Kentucky Counties hit hard by the severe winter storms that blanketed the state with record amounts of snow February 4^th , 5^th , and 6^th . Governor Paul Patton received official notice from the White House Tuesday that the storm warranted a major disaster declaration by President Clinton and that Bath, Estill, Jackson, Laurel, Lewis, McCreary, Powell, Rockcastle, and Wayne Counties will be eligible for Federal help.

"This is welcome relief for those areas of the state that suffered the most and drained their emergency treasuries to clear roads of snow and debris, restore electrical power and provide shelters and other assistance for those in need during the storm and its aftermath", Governor Patton said.

In a letter to President Clinton February 17^th, Governor Patton asked the President to declare a major disaster in the state and requested federal disaster aid for public assistance, emergency snow clearance and debris removal, as well as hazard mitigation assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The state spent more than $7-million to cope with the storm that dumped more than two feet of snow in some areas, caused widespread power outages and is blamed for 11 deaths.

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