Congressman Rogers Calls on FEMA & Army Corps for Speedy Flood Response

U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, called on federal officials for a speedy and thorough response to Eastern Kentucky counties impacted by recent deadly flooding, mudslides and high winds. Congressman Rogers personally spoke to leaders with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville and Huntington Districts to discuss improvements that are needed for federal flood relief and flood control efforts. He also spoke to local leaders about their specific needs in Eastern Kentucky as flood recovery begins once again.

"It has been less than three years since the last catastrophic flood ravaged our region in July 2022, causing widespread damage and multiple fatalities. We learned some key lessons from the last two disasters that we must improve for Eastern Kentuckians. Bureaucratic red tape and burdensome regulations have led to far too many delays in previous relief efforts and flood control projects, so I discussed more efficient operations with FEMA and the Army Corps," said Congressman Rogers.

As Dean of the House and the Kentucky Federal Delegation, Congressman Rogers led a joint letter to President Trump in support of Governor Andy Beshear's request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration. President Trump swiftly approved the Governor's request for an Emergency Disaster Declaration on Sunday, and this request for an expanded Major Disaster Declaration will provide widespread federal relief in counties that meet the threshold for public and individual assistance.

"I specifically requested mobile centers for FEMA to reach more people as quickly as possible. We also discussed previous offsets that prevented some flood survivors from accessing multiple sources of funding for home repairs, replacing appliances and other needs. We need to ensure Eastern Kentuckians have access to all available funds that can help them get back on their feet."

Congressman Rogers has secured more than $800 million in federal funding for  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control projects in southern and eastern Kentucky during his service to the region.

"We've seen the life-saving value of effective Army Corps projects along the Cumberland River, the Big Sandy and Tug Fork," said Congressman Rogers. "We must work faster and more efficiently to remove dangerous debris and sediment in our waterways. We must also complete the flood control projects that are already underway in Coal Run, Town of Martin, Paintsville, Beattyville, and along the Kentucky River. These investments are crucial, but project delays have proven to be detrimental with three back-to-back flooding events in the last five years."

For more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.