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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 23, 2008 No. 08-011 GOVERNOR REQUESTS FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION FOR DECEMBER ICE STORMS Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has sent a letter to President George W. Bush requesting he declare a federal disaster for a number of Kansas counties impacted by the severe ice storms that swept the state beginning Dec. 10, 2007 and continuing through Dec. 19, 2007. Six deaths were reported, two persons were hospitalized, 11 others injured and more than 183,000 customers were without power at the height of the storms. Joint federal/state Preliminary Disaster Assessment Teams estimate that damages to public infrastructure resulting from these storms is in excess of $170 million. Approximately $140 million is in damages to Kansas Rural Electric Cooperatives and municipal utilities. Sebelius said, “Though we wish disasters never reached the magnitude where we need federal assistance, these designations can truly help those impacted by the December storms. We appreciate FEMA's help and the President's prompt consideration of this request.” Sebelius requested federal Public Assistance, which provides reimbursement to the counties and certain non-profits, including rural electric cooperatives. for 60 counties: Atchison, Barber, Barton, Brown, Butler, Chase, Cherokee, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Comanche, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Ford, Geary, Graham, Harvey, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Kingman, Kiowa, Labette, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Lyon, McPherson, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Mitchell, Morris, Nemaha, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Republic, Rice, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Smith, Stafford, Wabaunsee, Washington and Woodson. Sebelius made the Public Assistance request for Categories A (Debris Removal), B (Emergency Protective Measures), E (Building and Equipment) and F (Utilities). The governor also requested Hazard Mitigation for all 105 counties. Hazard mitigation is defined as cost-effective action taken to prevent or reduce the threat of future damage to a facility. In her letter, Sebelius also said the state will pursue loans through the Small Business Administration due to the number of commercial losses with the grocery and nursery businesses. In December, Sebelius requested and received an Emergency Disaster Declaration for all 105 counties that provided direct federal assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures. This means FEMA provides direct federal assistance through a mission assignment to another federal agency — upon request of the state — when the state and local government certify they lack the capability to perform or contract for the requested work. This includes debris clearance and/or removal; food, water, ice and other consumable commodities; and other emergency protective measures such as generators for critical facilities and shoring or demolition of unsafe structures. The state agrees in advance to reimburse FEMA for the appropriate non-federal share of the work including the overhead of the federal agency assigned the task. -30- |
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