Saturday, January 08, 2000
Patton visits Owensboro, offers state assistance
The Associated Press
OWENSBORO, Ky. — Gov. Paul Patton toured storm-wracked Owensboro on Friday, offering state assistance to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by a powerful tornado that swept through the area.
“Our philosophy is to provide maximum relief as quick as we realize we have a problem,” Mr. Patton told reporters at a press conference at Owensboro Airport. “Our philosophy is maximum response as rapidly as possible, and that's what we've done.”
Mr. Patton announced that the Kentucky Housing Corp., which mainly makes mortgage loans at lower-than-market rates to low-income people, will make loans for new construction and substantial repair work.
The agency is opening a temporary field office in Owensboro, Mr. Patton said.
Storms tore through the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys Monday and included a tornado that belted Owensboro. It left a four-mile path of destruction through the heart of the city.
Overall, one person was killed and 22 others were injured throughout western Kentucky during the outbreak of violent weather.
Mr. Patton declared a state of emergency for the area Wednesday and asked federal officials to declare it a disaster area.
Before leaving Owensboro, Mr. Patton spoke by phone with Federal Emergency Management Agency director James Lee Witt, describing the extensive damage to homes, businesses and utility systems.
Mr. Patton said Mr. Witt pledged to give fullest consideration to the needs of residents as soon as he receives a complete preliminary damage assessment from federal officials who arrived in the area Thursday.
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