As Damage Assessments Begin, Beshear Contemplates Federal Assistance

by Lisa Autry, Kentucky Public RadioDamage assessments in flood-damaged parts of Kentucky are underway, but the extent of the damage and the cost of recovery won't be known until the water recedes.Governor Steve Beshear says once the costs are known, he will likely request a presidential disaster declaration."I would think we will, but we want to make sure we do and we move quickly," he says. "That will then enable the federal government to start doing their own assessments and hopefully we'll get some federal relief in terms of money and small interest loans and things like that."Beshear says he may also ask the Department of Agriculture for assistance for damaged farms. The governor plans to fly over flooded areas Kentucky tomorrow (Thursday).