Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday signed a State of Disaster Emergency for 11 Kansas counties affected by severe storms, heavy rains and flooding that began Sept. 11.
The counties named in the declaration are Anderson, Butler, Chase, Cowley, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Lyon, Russell, Sedgwick, and Sumner.
“Although people often think of tornadoes as the big destructive force of nature in Kansas, floods can be just as damaging, if not more so,” Sebelius said. “While tornadoes are generally limited in scope, floods affect many, many square miles, destroying or damaging roads, bridges, power lines and other vital infrastructure.”
Local damage assessments are continuing and federal assistance may be requested as the damage total rises.