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Three more tornado-hit counties added to federal disaster decla
KFB pushing government for complete and accurate damage assessment Kansas A federal disaster declaration has been expanded to three additional Kansas counties in the path of the May 4 tornado. Edwards, Pratt and Stafford counties join Kiowa County on the federal disaster declaration. This means affected producers in those counties are eligible for individual assistance which provides up to 75 percent coverage for losses not covered by insurance for damage to homes and some small businesses. According to the office of Sen. Pat Roberts, the expansion also includes agriculture-related losses and makes producers eligible for low interest loans and emergency conservation assistance. Kansas Farm Bureau has been instrumental in working with our partners in state and federal government, to ensure they have a complete and accurate assessment of the extent of farm damage sustained due to the violent weather. KFB's National Policy Director Terry Holdren will attend a meeting May 15 in St. John with government stakeholders involved in this ongoing discussion. To learn more about specific producer eligibility, affected farmers are urged to contact their local Farm Service Agency office. In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is continuing to review the potential need for public assistance (roads, schools, etc.) in the expanded territory. FEMA is also conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments in Barton, Phillips and Ottawa counties. This is the first step to possibly expanding declarations to those counties. Meanwhile, Rep. Jerry Moran is working to ensure that losses from this storm and the Easter weekend freeze will be included in the disaster package ultimately adopted by Congress. Kansas Farm Bureau represents grassroots agriculture. Established in 1919, this non-profit advocacy organization supports farm families who earn their living in a changing industry.
B 5 5/28/07 2 Star EK Date: 5/24/07
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