Governor requests federal disaster declaration for September storms

Oct. 4, 2018 | By slarson

2018 No. 18-090 Gov. Jeff Colyer M.D. has sent a request to President Donald Trump asking for a federal disaster declaration for several Kansas counties affecting by severe thunderstorms, flooding, flash floods, high winds, and hail from Sept. 1 through Sept. 8, 2018. Counties named in the request are Barber, Clay, Jewell, Kingman, Kiowa, Marshall, Pratt, Rice, and Riley for the Public Assistance Program. The request also asks for activation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide for the same period. The request details the extent of the storms and the damages they caused. The request was made under provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5208 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR 206.36. The Public Assistance Program allows local governments and certain nonprofit organizations to apply for funds to help recover costs associated with response and recovery to the disaster, such as debris removal and restoration of vital infrastructure.