Marina
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, alongside several Republican colleagues from Kansas, is spearheading a call to President Donald Trump to grant a federal disaster declaration for the state of Kansas following a devastating storm system in March.
This request comes in response to widespread damage caused by severe weather between March 14 and 19, affecting many parts of the state.
Support for Governor’s Request
In a letter addressed to the President, the group of lawmakers expressed their full support for Governor Laura Kelly’s formal appeal for federal disaster relief. The letter emphasizes the need for federal assistance to help Kansas communities and utility providers restore critical infrastructure.
The approval of the declaration would enable these entities to apply for public assistance funding from FEMA, aiding in the repair of storm-damaged infrastructure.
Details of the Storm’s Devastating Impact
The letter, which was co-signed by Senator Jerry Moran and Representatives Tracey Mann, Ron Estes, and Derek Schmidt, describes the storm as “two back-to-back strong mid-latitude cyclone systems.”
These storms created conditions similar to hurricanes, with intense wind gusts, blowing dust, blizzards, and even wildfires. The devastation also included severe flooding, making the situation even worse.
The lawmakers acknowledged the extreme difficulty in describing the true extent of the damage. According to them, the storm caused the destruction of essential infrastructure and led to tragic loss of life. They stress the importance of securing federal aid to assist in recovery efforts.
Damage in Kansas Counties
Approximately one-third of the counties in Kansas were affected by these powerful storms, with rural areas being hit the hardest.
Local governments and cooperative utilities are now shouldering the responsibility of restoring basic services to their communities. The state has estimated damages exceeding $8.5 million that qualify for federal aid.
Eligibility for Reimbursement
If the disaster declaration is granted, both local governments and utility providers would be eligible to receive reimbursements for their storm-related expenses.
This would help alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by these entities as they work to repair and restore essential services.
The push for a federal disaster declaration by Kansas lawmakers reflects the severity of the storms that wreaked havoc across the state in March.
By securing this federal aid, Kansas aims to expedite recovery efforts and ensure that communities, especially those in rural areas, can rebuild essential infrastructure that was lost during this unprecedented weather event.