President Barack Obama has signed a federal disaster declaration that will free up federal funds to help Kansas recover from recent spring storms. Meanwhile, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is asking the federal government to declare a major disaster for 69 counties due to spring and summer storms that caused tornadoes, torrential rains and flooding across much of the state.
The federal money in Kansas will go toward repairing damage to infrastructure and services damaged by May and June storms that included tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding. Obama signed the disaster declaration Monday.
Federal funding is available to the following counties: Atchison, Barton, Brown, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Cowley, Doniphan, Edwards, Elk, Ellsworth, Franklin, Gray, Greenwood, Harper, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Miami, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Stevens, Sumner, Wabaunsee, and Washington.
Nixon made the request on July 21, citing damage to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure, along with homes and businesses. At least 10 deaths are blamed on the storms and flooding.
Nixon says that since mid-May, more than half of the state has been damaged, and many places face extensive response and rebuilding expenses.
Nixon first declared a state of emergency on June 18, an order that activated the State Emergency Operations Center and enabled the state to mobile resources to assist local authorities. Last week, he extended the state of emergency until Aug. 14.
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