KANSAS CITY (Dow Jones)--Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius’ office Thursday announced that the governor had declared 44 counties to be disaster areas after winter storms that hit the state Dec. 28 through Dec. 31.
A press release from her office said the governor also signed a letter to the White House requesting federal assistance to help Kansans recover from the effects of the storms.
“The impact of this storm has been tremendous and it is critical we receive federal support to help our state recover from the significant financial losses left behind,“ said Sebelius in the release. “We will be assessing the damages and financial impact the storm has taken once the critical needs have been addressed.“
Sebelius also has requested U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to declare the same counties agricultural disaster areas to help minimize economic losses of livestock producers. Sebelius is seeking the declaration in an effort to make livestock producers eligible for financial assistance, should it be made available by USDA.
“There are 3.7 million head of cattle worth an estimated $3.4 billion in the 44 counties hardest hit by this winter storm,“ Sebelius said. “Averting and recovering from widespread livestock casualties is important to our state’s economic stability and the well-being of our livestock producers.“
The storm has made it temporarily impossible for some livestock owners to get feed to their cattle, the release said. It also disrupted power, which is needed to pump water for livestock.
Estimates indicate these storms left about 69,000 residents and businesses without power for more than 48 hours, the release said. It may be another three weeks before all service is able to be reconnected. Portable generators, emergency generators and outside utility crews were dispatched to the affected area for emergency restoration of power.
Because of extensive damage to critical infrastructures, such as power lines and poles and extensive debris, the state plans to request a Federal/State preliminary damage assessment as soon as the roads become passable, the governor’s office said.
Counties affected by this storm are Cheyenne, Clark, Comanche, Decatur, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jewell, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Logan, Meade, Morton, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Scott, Seward, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Trego, Wallace and Wichita.
State and local agencies that responded and are continuing to provide response and recovery support include Kansas Emergency Management, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas National Guard, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Commerce, American Red Cross and Salvation Army.
Source: Lester Aldrich Dow Jones Newswires 913-322-5179 lester.aldrich@dowjones.com