Following winter storm activity from early this month that is still impacting Emporians, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is asking the federal government for more time to submit an official disaster relief request.
The governor has formally asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have until March 6 for the winter storm that brought ice, snow, wind and biting cold temperatures to the state Jan. 4-5. The governor says she has requested the extra time for data collection and validation so local governments have a better chance to have their costs offset or defrayed.
The state is seeking federal help through the Public Assistance Program, which offers funds on a cost-share basis to repair or replace roads, bridges and other public infrastructure items.
Emporia’s residential street snowpack has gradually shrunk after the city got 0.25-0.50 inches of ice and 5-plus inches of snowfall Jan. 4-5, but many areas of town are still dealing with the snowpack. It also received another 2-3 inches of snow Jan. 9-10.
