Kansas seeks presidential disaster declaration

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency asking for a major presidential disaster declaration due to damages caused by a series of severe thunderstorms accompanied by straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of May 18 to 19.

Multiple counties, which included the cities of Plevna and Grinnell, sustained damage to utility infrastructure, roads, and government-owned buildings. Gov. Kelly made the request to seek federal assistance through the Public Assistance Program.

The program provides funds on a cost-share basis to repair damaged public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

The storm affected Bourbon, Cheyenne, Edwards, Gove, Kiowa, Logan, Pratt, Reno, Scott, Sheridan, and Stafford counties.