[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 42 (Monday, March 6, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                Kentucky

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, this past weekend, the people of 
Kentucky endured significant severe weather. The storms that ripped 
through the Commonwealth on Friday caused mass power outages, localized 
flooding, and high winds that reached up to 75 miles an hour. At least 
one tornado was recorded in west Kentucky.
  Sadly, the storms have taken the lives of five Kentuckians. Elaine 
and I send our deepest condolences to the families who are grieving 
their lost loved ones. My office has been in close contact with 
Governor Beshear's team and local officials across the State. Emergency 
response efforts are working overtime to ensure those impacted have the 
resources to make a rapid recovery.
  At peak, there were more than half a million households without 
power. I am grateful to the linemen and chainsaw teams that have 
tirelessly worked around the clock to restore power throughout the 
State. A number of school districts remain closed today as power 
restoration efforts continue.
  So thank you to all the first responders who have graciously deployed 
without hesitation. The generosity and resilience on display in the on-
the-ground operations have been truly inspiring. Throughout the 
Commonwealth, Kentuckians are rolling up their sleeves to help where 
they can, whether it is assisting clean-up efforts with chainsaws in 
hand or opening their homes to those in need. Kentuckians have both big 
hearts and hard knuckles, and together, we will get through.
  My prayers are with all the storm victims and their families, and I 
stand ready to assist with our swift recovery in the days ahead.