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Lexington — US Monday , President Joe Biden surveyed homes, uprooted trees and muddy roads damaged by severe flooding in eastern Kentucky, linking the devastation to climate change.
Extreme heat hit the area as families struggled to recover from flooding caused by torrential rains that began in late July. At least 37 people died, and some survivors risked their lives to escape the rapidly rising waters.
"As you know, we are suffering from the effects of climate change, and we are experiencing quite a few weather disasters across the country," Biden said with state and federal officials on emergency response. said in a briefing.
Biden scored a big victory on Sunday, the day the U.S. Senate passed his $430 billion bill, which includes a clean energy package to combat climate change.
Gov. Andy Beshear gave a positive assessment of the restoration work so far, joking that cell phone service was restored to state parks where it had never been before.
"We are powering all but about 200 households, which is amazing," he said. “We can bring water to more people than ever thought possible.”
Biden last week approved Kentucky's major disaster declaration, channeling federal funds for emergency operations. released.
Jill Biden helped pack donated clothing at a local school. The Bidens also planned to visit families affected by the disaster. It was the president's first visit since testing negative for COVID-19 over the weekend after the game.
The painstaking cleanup and rebuilding began last week as the water receded, making remote areas more accessible. Muddy piles of rubble, overturned cars, and homes off their foundations were a common sight.
"It's been a really difficult situation to watch unfold," Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Dean Criswell said at an emergency response briefing.
FEMA has provided assistance from the $13 million Federal Disaster Relief Fund to 800 Kentucky residents across 12 affected counties, she said. The agency expects that number to grow and is recalling those who were initially denied help. (Reporting by Nandita Bose, Written by Doina Chiacu, Editing by Alistair Bell and Cynthia Osterman)
