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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 9, 2009 No. 09-096 GOVERNOR REQUESTS PRESIDENTIAL DISASTER DECLARATION FOR JULY STORMSGov. Mark Parkinson has sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting a federal disaster declaration for six Kansas counties affected by severe storms that produced high winds, large hail, lightning, and torrential rains July 8-14. Named in the declaration are Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Franklin, Linn and Sedgwick Counties. These counties were named in a State of Disaster Emergency declaration Parkinson signed July 9 and amended Sept. 2. Parkinson requested Public Assistance for these counties to help restore vital infrastructure damaged by the storms. He also requested activation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant program statewide. In his letter, Parkinson said that the total costs associated with the storms are expected to exceed $3.5 million. He noted that estimated debris removal costs were in excess of $252,000. Damages to buildings and equipment in the affected counties totaled more than $1.8 million, with Sedgwick County accounting for the bulk of that amount. Approximately $406,000 of those damages were sustained by schools and nonprofits in the county, including $250,000 in damages to USD 259 and $25,000 to USD 260. “It should further be noted,” Parkinson said in his letter, “these damages come in a time when many centers of education and nonprofit organizations are struggling to meet solvency due to the harsh economic times. Thus, with razor thin margins of emergency cash reserves, unforeseen damages can significantly impact the fulfillment of their various missions.” Utilities sustained $771,949 in damages. Anderson County was hardest hit with $434,857 in damages.-30- Follow the Kansas Adjutant General’s Department on Twitter at http://twitter.com/KSAdjutantGen |
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