LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A month after deadly tornadoes ripped through Kentucky, first lady Jill Biden will come to Bowling Green to tour the area and see recovery efforts. Biden's original visit was set for Jan. 6, but the winter storm forced her to reschedule. She and her team will be in Kentucky Friday. 

What You Need To Know

  • First lady Jill Biden will visit Bowling Green Friday

  • Her visit comes a month after President Joe Biden spent the day in Kentucky

  • She will be joined by a deputy FEMA administrator and Gov. Andy Beshear and his wife

  • Pres. Biden pledged 100% federal assistance for the initial recovery

Mrs. Biden will be joined by Deptuy FEMA Administrator Erik Hooks, Gov. Andy Beshear and first lady Britainy Beshear. The first lady will highlight the partnership between federal and local agencies supplying aid and helping with clean up.

The group will tour the Creekwood neighborhood in Bowling Green before heading to a FEMA State disaster recovery center. The Creekwood neighborhood was hit hard and many were displaced and found shelter Jennings Creek Elementary which was turned into a Red Cross shelter. 

President Joe Biden visited Kentucky three weeks ago and said the federal government would pay 100% of the initial recovery. On Dec. 15, 2021 he said, "I intend to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes to support your state," he added. "You will recover and you will rebuild."

Monday, Gov. Beshear requested to extend the 100% federal cost share to 90 days, instead of 30 days. 77 people, including 14 children, lost their lives in the storms. Beshear says the extension is needed to help clean up the massive destruction and restore Western Kentucky communities.

“This is an unprecedented request for an unprecedented disaster,” said Gov. Beshear. “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has estimated the total amount of debris to be removed in all counties to be in excess of 4.7 million cubic yards. To date it is estimated that only 3% of the debris has been removed in all counties, and those counties need help lightening the financial burden after many have faced multiple natural disasters over the past year.”

Damage was further caused on New Year's Day when nine other tornadoes hit Kentucky. No injuries or fatalities were reported with these storms. The counties affected were:

  • Christian County, EF-2
  • Warren County, EF-0
  • Logan and Todd counties, EF-0
  • Hart County, EF-0
  • Barren County, EF-1
  • Taylor County, EF-1
  • Marion County, EF-1
  • Madison County, EF-1
  • Estill County, EF-0

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