Marion County makes list for possible assistance
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed a letter Jan. 18 to President George W. Bush requesting federal assistance to aid in the recovery of Kansas counties from the effects of severe ice storms that hit the state Jan. 3-5.
According to the governor's office, Marion County was among the 32 counties for which the governor is requesting assistance.
On Jan. 3, Marion County and 55 other counties were named in a State of Disaster Emergency.
Since that time, Sebelius and representatives from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) have toured some counties to determine the hardest hit.
FEMA representatives toured Marion County this past week to assess damages.
The other counties named in the presidential request were Anderson, Atchison, Barber, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Clark, Coffey, Comanche, Cowley, Crawford, Douglas, Elk, Franklin, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Jefferson, Kingman, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Sumner, Wabaunsee, Woodson, and Wyandotte.
Total eligible damages in the 32 counties have reached nearly $39 million.
Sebelius asked for the public assistance program to restore damaged infrastructure. Damages include power lines and poles, and extensive debris removal.
Power has been restored to all affected areas, although many of the repairs are temporary measures.
