Joint Information Center
Wichita, Kansas
Disaster News
July 19, 2007
KS-1711-07-019
Media Contacts:
FEMA: News Desk 316-524-1006
KDEM: Sharon Watson 785-274-1192
SBA: Kevin Wynne 916-847-2638
NEW KANSAS COUNTIES ADDED FOR FEMA INFRASTRUCTURE DISASTER ASSISTANCE
FROM JUNE FLOODS
WICHITA, Kan. - The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) announces that 21 counties affected by storms that began June 26 are now eligible for all categories
of FEMA’s Public Assistance.
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Elk, Franklin, Linn, Miami,
Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Wilson and Woodson counties are now approved for full Public Assistance.
Previously these counties had been designated for emergency protective measures.
Additionally, Crawford, Greenwood, Harper and Labette counties have been declared for all Public
Assistance programs.
"The additional public assistance in these counties is welcome news for the residents and public officials in
the disaster areas," said Angie Morgan, state coordinating officer for the Kansas Division of Emergency
Management (KDEM). "This new assistance will rapidly assist our communities as they continue to rebound
from the effects of these historic storms."
The counties are now eligible for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, repair or
replacement of damaged public facilities such as roads, buildings and utilities, and recreational facilities such
as parks or playgrounds damaged by the storms.
"This progression of federal aid enables the communities to rebuild their local infrastructure in a logical
transition from disaster-to-recovery," said Michael L. Karl, federal coordinating officer in charge of Kansas
disaster recovery operations.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) was also authorized to the counties approved under the
federal disaster declaration on July 13, 2007. HMGP provides grants to states and local governments to
implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration.
Applicants’ briefings will be held in the newly approved counties. Further information is available through
the Kansas Division of Emergency Management Public Assistance Branch.
(MORE)
Pg. – 2 New Counties Added for Individual Assistance
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.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age,
disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you
should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal Rights. If you
are suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the Fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
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Editors: for more information on the Kansas disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.ks.gov/ksadjutantgeneral/
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