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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 17, 2007 No. 07-197
POWER OUTAGES DROP TO 25,000 IN KANSAS
Over the weekend, crews restored power to thousands of customers impacted by the winter storm. Currently, approximately 25,000 customers in Kansas remain without power (Westar at approximately 9,000, Kansas Rural Electric Cooperatives at 16,000).
Road conditions improving: Road conditions are mostly improving in many parts of the state, however, for the most up-to-date conditions travelers may call 5-1-1 from anywhere in Kansas – or 1-866-511-KDOT (5368) from anywhere in the U.S. This line has up-to-date, route-specific road conditions, construction detours and travel weather information for any Interstate, U.S. and Kansas state highways, including Kansas Turnpike routes. Travelers also can get road condition information by visiting http://511.ksdot.org.
Many shelters in use Approximately 900 Kansans took shelter over the weekend. The Kansas National Guard also opened additional shelters in its armories in Clay Center, Marysville, Manhattan, Russell and Sabetha to support the local communities last week and weekend. Many shelters have closed, so individuals needing shelter should contact their local American Red Cross, Salvation Army or county emergency management office to determine shelter locations.
Kansas National Guard support The Kansas National Guard continues to help communities as they deal with the impact of the ice storm. Airmen from the 184th Intelligence Wing in Wichita performed search and rescue missions in Marion County Sunday. Airmen from the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Jefferson County are delivering bottled water supplied by FEMA to a fire station in Nortonville in Jefferson County today. A National Guard mission to clear debris from roadways in Horton in Brown County was cancelled because it was no longer needed.
FEMA provides help; generators individuals buy are not reimbursable The Kansas National Guard has delivered numerous generators throughout the state to critical needs facilities. Some of the generators were supplied by FEMA. FEMA’s generators and the Kansas National Guard’s generators are only available to critical needs facilities such as hospitals, shelters, nursing homes, and water and sewer systems. The state does not have the resources to deliver generators to individuals. Individuals needing a generator must contact retail outlets to purchase one or should seek shelter at a local shelter. FEMA reimburses for generators only when Individual Assistance has been approved, and only in cases of documented medical need. This means a pre-existing documented medical condition that requires a person to have a medical apparatus that requires a generator to continue the machine’s use during power outages. At this time, the state has not received approval for assistance to individuals affected by this storm; however, as preliminary damage assessments are compiled, it is possible this will change. FEMA has provided Kansas with more than 900 cots and three semi truck loads of bottled water to support shelters as needed. In addition, the state has received 60 generators from FEMA to go to critical needs facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, shelters and community water/sewer systems. The Kansas National Guard is delivering its own generators as well as the FEMA generators to many critical needs locations around the state. -30- |
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