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Surveying damage, Biden pledges steadfast federal support for eastern Kentucky and calls extreme weather an 'American problem'

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, tour a neighborhood impacted by flooding, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Lost Creek, Ky. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci/AP
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AP
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, tour a neighborhood impacted by flooding, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Lost Creek, Ky. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Joe Biden touched down in Kentucky Monday to survey the destruction caused by massive flooding in eastern Kentucky.

Biden made the trip to flood-ravaged eastern Kentucky with a promise to, that he’s prepared to marshal whatever support the federal government can provide as devastated communities dig out. In brief public remarks with a destroyed home in the backdrop, the president stressed that extreme weather events highlight the need for unity — across state and political lines.

"It is true that the people here in this community, in Western Kentucky, and the folks I met in the tornado, they're not just Kentuckians. They're Americans," Biden said. "This happened in America. (It's an) American problem. We're all Americans and everybody has an obligation to help. We have the capacity to do this."

The president made a familiar pledge, echoing the "Build Back Better" theme of his legislative agenda, which saw long-awaited gains this week in Congress with the Senate passing a major clean energy package aimed at fighting climate change.

"We're going to come back better than before. I really mean it. That's the objective I have."
President Joe Biden

The White House has drawn a line from climate change to the flooding and other intense weather events that have hit different parts of the country in recent years.

Gov. Andy Beshear said he now believes the flooding death toll may have risen from 37 to 38, as crews continue work to reach residents whose private bridges were destroyed.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.