The convoy of officials coming to Owensboro to view the damage from Monday's tornado continued Friday morning as U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning and U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis toured the area first by air, then driving through the heaviest hit neighborhoods.
Nobody can get a real handle on the damage unless they drive through the area.
While both Bunning and Lewis, R-Cecilia, said they have initiated efforts to help the area obtain federal disaster relief funds, they said the primary purpose of the visit was to get a feel for the attitude and spirit of the people. He said Kentucky is notorious for bonding together in times of disaster, and the effort in Owensboro has only strengthened that belief. Bunning said as soon as Gov. Paul Patton declared a state of emergency for Daviess County on Wednesday, he contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency to let them know that federal officials were behind any request for assistance. Lewis said he also contacted FEMA and offered to facilitate any relief efforts between federal, state and local governments. He said Daviess County appears to be a good candidate for federal assistance.