News from
The Adjutant General's Department

CONTACT:
Sharon Watson
Director, Public Affairs Office
Work: (785) 274-1192
Cell: (785) 806-4063
http://www.Kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   April 30, 2009

No. 09-038

FEMA GRANTS STATE OF KANSAS EXTENSION FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted the state of Kansas a request for a 30-day extension in which to request federal disaster assistance for damages sustained from the severe winter storms that struck the state during the period March 26-29, 2009. The request was made by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius before she become Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services.

“This extension will allow us time to conduct a thorough damage assessment in all counties affected by the storm,” said Gov. Mark Parkinson. “We want to make sure that every eligible disaster expense is documented and properly reimbursed.”

Region VII and the state of Kansas are currently conducting Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments. Current preliminary damage totals are estimated at approximately $22 million, based on assessments conducted in 11 counties. This figure is expected to change because damage assessments have not been completed.  Preliminary damages to utilities in the counties are currently at $18.5 million.

FEMA has identified 18 counties that sustained record or near record snowfall amounts which may make them eligible to apply disaster costs associated with emergency protective measures to the totals in the governor’s federal disaster assistance request.

The Public Assistance program through FEMA refers to money used to repair damaged infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and utilities. There are no plans to request federal Individual Assistance because uninsured losses to private homes will not meet federal eligibility thresholds. Follow our updates on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KansasEmergency .

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