20 October 2005

Governor announces assistance available for flooding victims

Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced today that residents and businesses in Jefferson and Leavenworth Counties in Kansas are eligible to apply for Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Loans as a result of severe thunderstorms, torrential rains and flooding that began October 1. Damage in these counties were deemed sufficient to make them eligible for the SBA loan program.

“With this approval from the SBA, Kansans affected by these storms can get the money they need to get back on their feet and get on with their lives,” said Governor Sebelius.

Residents and businesses in Atchison, Douglas, Jackson, Johnson, Shawnee, and Wyandotte Counties are also eligible to apply for SBA loans because these counties are continguous to Leavenworth or Jefferson Counties.

Governor Sebelius originally named Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth and Shawnee Counties in a declaration of a State of Disaster Emergency on October 2. Atchison and Pottawatomie Counties were added to the declaration on October 6. Representatives from the SBA completed assessment of flood damage in three Kansas counties on October 11. The inspections were made at the request of Governor Sebelius when initial estimates determined that damages did not meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) criteria for grants to individuals, which are established by federal regulations set forth in the Stafford Act.