By Trish Svoboda

Governor Laura Kelly has requested an extension from FEMA to submit a major disaster request. In her letter, she asked for a new deadline of October 5, 2024, to apply for the public assistance program. This extension is for severe thunderstorms that affected the state from June 26 to July 7, which included large hail, damaging straight-line winds, tornadoes, and torrential rainfall leading to flooding.

Kelly requested the extension to allow more time for preliminary damage assessments with FEMA and to review the data before requesting a major disaster declaration for the Public Assistance program. This program provides cost-share funds to repair damaged public infrastructure, including roads and bridges.

“Severe storms continue to impact Kansans, stretching state and local resources thin,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Additional time is needed to collect data and validate all expenses to aid local governments in restoring the infrastructure vital to the safety and well-being of their communities.”