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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2008 No. 08-109 GOVERNOR SIGNS STATE DISASTER DECLARATION FOR COUNTIES AFFECTED BY
FLOODING IN SEPTEMBER Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed a State of Disaster Emergency today for 11 Kansas counties affected by severe storms, heavy rains and flooding that began Sept. 11. The counties named in the declaration are Anderson, Butler, Chase, Cowley, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Lyon, Russell, Sedgwick, and Sumner. “Although people often think of tornadoes as the big destructive force of nature in Kansas, floods can be just as damaging, if not more so,” said Sebelius. “While tornadoes are generally limited in scope, floods affect many, many square miles, destroying or damaging roads, bridges, power lines and other vital infrastructure. I am signing this declaration to help these county governments quickly restore that infrastructure and get things back to normal for their citizens as quickly as possible.” Sebelius said local damage assessments are ongoing and federal assistance may be requested as more damage estimates come in. She will submit a request to FEMA Region VII in Kansas City to begin joint federal/state Preliminary Damage Assessments. Once approved, the joint assessments will begin in approximately two weeks. -30- |
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