By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-817831.mp3
Frankfort, KY – There's damage across the commonwealth, but western Kentucky was particularly hard hit by this week's icy wintry blast. Governor Beshear is assessing damage in Paducah, Henderson and Bowling Green today, and brings good news. President Obama called last night to tell Beshear a quick response was coming to the governor's request for a federal disaster declaration. "And indeed before the end of the night we did get approval from the president for that disaster declaration. And he also wanted to call to express his concern about the plight of about 600-thousand Kentuckians now who are without power."
Governor's spokesman Jay Blanton says the state is moving quickly to bring power generators, communications equipment and debris removal equipment into damaged areas. At least three fatalities have been blamed on the storm.