While severe spring weather is a concern this week, state and some area government officials are breathing a sigh of relief after a federal decision on aid from severe winter weather.
The Office of Kansas Adjutant General says President Joe Biden has approved Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a federal disaster declaration following snow, high winds and brutal cold between Jan. 8-16. Sixteen counties are included, including Chase, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee in the KVOE listening area.
The declaration lets local and state governments, as well as rural electric cooperatives, apply for Public Assistance reimbursement funds to repair or replace infrastructure. It also opens up the Hazard Mitigation Mitigation Grant program so government entities can enact projects to reduce or halt long-term life and property risks from natural hazards.
This aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is strictly for the announced counties. It’s a different process than used by the US Department of Agriculture, which often allows its disaster aid to extend to both announced and neighboring counties.
