President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in parts of Kentucky affected by severe winter storms.
The White House said the disaster declaration was signed Thursday, ordering federal aid to help state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by snowstorms, flooding, landslides and mudslides earlier this year.
Three of Kentucky's top Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Obama earlier Thursday urging him to approve Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear's request for federal funds to help clean up from the storms.
U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul along with U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers sent the letter saying counties throughout the state suffered extensive damage.
Beshear requested the disaster declaration on April 16. It took several weeks for state officials to do all of the work to submit the request, the result of new procedures implemented by FEMA.