Sebelius declares disaster in 44 counties

Governor requests presidential and agriculture declaration

Kansas

Upon surveying storm damage in the affected areas of the state and meeting with local emergency management officials, Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed a letter to the White House late Jan. 4, requesting federal assistance to help Kansans recover from the effects of the winter storms that hit the state Dec. 28 through Dec. 31, 2006. The impacted area includes 44 counties.

Sebelius was joined by Congressman Jerry Moran, Adjutant General Tod Bunting, Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky and Regional FEMA Director Dick Hainje during her visits to Colby, Ulysses and Satanta.

"The impact of this storm has been tremendous and it is critical we receive federal support to help our state recover from the significant financial losses left behind." said Sebelius. "We will be assessing the damages and financial impact the storm has taken once the critical needs have been addressed."

Governor Sebelius has also requested U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to declare the same counties agricultural disaster areas to help minimize economic losses livestock producers affected by the storm. Sebelius is seeking the declaration in an effort to make livestock producers eligible for financial assistance, should it be made available by U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"There are 3.7 million head of cattle worth an estimated $3.4 billion in the 44 counties hardest hit by this winter storm," Sebelius said. "Averting and recovering from widespread livestock casualties is important to our state's economic stability and the well-being of our livestock producers."

The storm has made it temporarily impossible for some livestock owners to get feed to their cattle. It also disrupted power, which is needed to pump water for livestock.

"We are using every available resource to address human needs, and we are asking the USDA to find a way to help us address this critical issue." Sebelius said.

Estimates indicate these storms left approximately 69,000 residents and businesses without power for more than 48 hours. It is estimated that it will be another three weeks before all service is able to be reconnected. Portable generators, emergency generators and outside utility crews were dispatched to the affected area for emergency restoration of power.

Because of extensive damage to critical infrastructures, such as power lines and poles and extensive debris, the state will request a Federal/state preliminary damage assessment as soon as the roads become passable.

The Governor's request for a federal declaration seeks public assistance for 44 Kansas counties and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the entire state.

Governor Sebelius asked for the Public Assistance program 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). These damages include such things as power lines and poles and extensive debris.

Counties affected by this storm are Cheyenne, Clark, Comanche, Decatur, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jewell, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Logan, Meade, Morton, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Scott, Seward, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Trego, Wallace and Wichita.

State and local agencies that responded and are continuing to provide response and recovery support include Kansas Emergency Management, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas National Guard, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Commerce, American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Date: 1/11/07

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