21 October 2005

Governor seeks quick repairs in damaged communities
October storms, flooding caused damage to roads, bridges

Kansas is still recovering from damage caused by severe thunderstorms, torrential rains and flooding which hit the state on October 1st and 2nd. To help restore public infrastructure in communities affected by the storms, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has requested federal assistance.

“When roads, bridges, power lines and other parts of communities’ infrastructure are damaged or destroyed, it affects everyone. Families are inconvenienced by a lack of power or long detours around damaged roads. And businesses can lose sales for the same reasons. We need get help to our communities quickly, which is why I’m asking for federal assistance,” said Governor Sebelius.

In a letter to the White House today, Governor Sebelius requested federal aid for Atchison, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth and Shawnee counties. The preliminary estimated damage in these counties is more than $8 million.

She is also asking the entire state be made eligible for the federal hazard mitigation program.

Governor Sebelius asked for public assistance to restore damaged infrastructure under Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 288, as amended, and implemented by 44 CFR Part 206.36(d).