|
News from |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
CONTACT: |
||||||||||
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2007 No. 07-080 GOVERNOR SEBELIUS REQUESTS ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR GREENSBURG Governor Kathleen Sebelius has requested more assistance be provided
to Greensburg through FEMA's Public Assistance program. This program reimburses
the state and local government for emergency work (debris removal/emergency
protective actions) and permanent work (roads, bridges, buildings, utilities,
etc). required as a result of the May 4 tornado that nearly leveled the
town. Standard reimbursement is 75 percent, however, Governor Sebelius
has asked for higher levels of reimbursement to assist the community. "I have requested President Bush increase the federal reimbursement
to Kansas to 100 percent from May 4 and continuing no less than 60 days
for the emergency work that local and state government and certain non-profit
organizations incurred and continue to incur from the response and recovery
efforts in Greensburg," said Governor Kathleen Sebelius. "In
addition, I am requesting 90 percent reimbursement for all eligible permanent
work and any remaining emergency work not falling within the 60 day time
frame following May 4." The request through FEMA to President Bush was made in a letter dated
May 11, 2007. More than 8,300 dump truck loads of debris have been hauled out of Greensburg
to the Kiowa County landfill. Kansas National Guard, Kansas Department
of Transportation and contractors are handling the debris removal from
public property and right of ways. Residents have been asked to move debris
from private property to the curbs for curbside pickup. Some residents
have taken loads of debris to the landfill as well. Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas National Guard and many other law enforcement
agencies have provided security. Search and rescue teams were called in
right after the storm from Wichita and later Nebraska. The American Red
Cross and Salvation Army have been on site to provide food and water.
Shelters were set up in Haviland by the American Red Cross. And the Kansas
National Guard brought in its expeditionary medical support system (EMEDS)
to replace the local hospital which provided critical access care. These
are the types of emergency protective measures taken which would fall
under the funding provided for emergency protective actions.
-30- |
||||||||||