President Declares Major Disaster for Kansas 

Release Date: October 31, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-243

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of Kansas and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes during the period of September 11-17, 2008.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes in the counties of Anderson, Butler, Chase, Cowley, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Russell, and Sumner.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Paulison named Michael L. Karl as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

Karl said that additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Friday, 31-Oct-2008 15:28:05