6 October 2005

Governor adds additional counties to disaster declaration
Flood damage sustained in Atchison and Pottawatomie counties

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has added two additional counties to the state of disaster emergency she issued for flooding that began Oct. 1.

Damages resulting from the flooding have been deemed great enough to add Atchison and Pottawatomie Counties to the disaster declaration made Oct. 2 for Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth and Shawnee Counties.

“We will continue to assess damages in all counties affected by the recent flooding,” said Governor Sebelius.

“Our Kansas efforts include state and local assessment teams who are continuing to work to determine whether or not there is sufficient damage to request Presidential disaster declaration.”

The Governor said local and state assessment teams have been out the last couple days and we hope to have FEMA assessment folks here as soon as possible. Unfortunately, due to the response needed for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA resources are limited.

A state of disaster emergency declaration allows state resources to be used to respond to a disaster and to work on recovery. It also provides protection from liability to emergency responders and response agencies. Such a declaration acts an indicator for federal government that a state may need assistance and opens the door for the state government to be able to receive and manage federal assistance in the form of funds and resources.

A declaration of state of disaster emergency gives extraordinary authority and powers to the governor and her designated representative, which is The Adjutant General. The declaration activates the response and recovery portions of the Kansas Response Plan and allows the state to receive assistance from other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The declaration also provides for the use of state disaster funds, which are limited, to reimburse state agencies for the disaster costs incurred.