Several area counties are included in Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a major federal disaster declaration following severe winter weather just three months ago.
The request includes Chase, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties and follows snow, high winds and bitter cold temperatures that drove wind chills to near -30 between Jan. 8-16.
Listed counties — 16 in all — would then qualify for financial help through the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which helps to fund projects reducing or eliminating long-term disaster risks, and the Public Assistance Program, a cost-sharing program for damage to public infrastructure like roads and bridges.
