By Trish Svoboda

Governor Laura Kelly has written a letter to FEMA requesting an extension for submitting a request for a major disaster. The letter seeks an extension until April 15, 2024, to submit a disaster request for a major winter storm that impacted the state from January 7 to January 16, 2024. This storm brought heavy snowfall, excessive winds, and extreme windchills.

Kelly made this request to provide additional time for preliminary damage assessments aimed at seeking federal assistance through the Public Assistance program. This program offers funds, on a cost-share basis, to repair damaged public infrastructure like roads and bridges.

“Many counties sustained damages that will strain local budgets to repair,” Governor Kelly said. “I am seeking time to collect data and validate all legitimate expenses to aid local governments in restoring the infrastructure so vital to the safety and wellbeing of Kansans.”