15 June 2004

Governor Expands Drought Emergency to all of Western Kansas

Responding to one of the driest May’s in history, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today declared a Drought Emergency for 14 counties in southwest Kansas.

Counties covered by the emergency proclamation include Clark, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Meade, Morton, Seward, Stanton and Stevens.

The Governor’s action continued the Drought Emergency declared previously for 17 counties in northwest and west-central Kansas. These counties are Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Graham, Greeley, Lane, Logan, Ness, Norton, Rawlins, Scott, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego, Wallace and Wichita.

“I saw first-hand what Kansans in the driest part of the state are being forced to deal with when I visited damaged wheat crops in Goodland last week,” Governor Sebelius said. “Western Kansas remains in the grips of extreme drought conditions. I hope this declaration will assist in providing much needed, federal financial assistance.”

The Drought Warning declared previously for 12 counties adjacent to the emergency area was also continued. Counties covered are Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Kiowa, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Pratt, Rush, Russell, Rooks and Smith.

Elsewhere in central and eastern Kansas, drought conditions have generally improved. Governor Sebelius has upgraded the previous Drought Emergency or Drought Warning Declarations for 14 counties in this area to a Drought Watch. Previous drought declarations in 48 counties in central and eastern Kansas have been rescinded entirely.

The Governor noted that the latest outlook from the U.S. Climate Prediction Center calls for drought to persist through the summer in western Kansas with drought development likely in the south-central part of the state.

Specific response actions are tied to each drought stage (Watch, Warning or Emergency). Emergency actions may include transporting water to communities facing substantial public health and welfare threats and reduced red tape for cities and industries wishing to obtain surplus water marketing contracts from the state. A state emergency declaration also may provide additional leverage in securing federal assistance.