TOPEKA – Gov. Mark Parkinson has requested a presidential disaster declaration for six counties including Franklin, Anderson and Linn counties because of the July storms. Parkinson said the damages from the powerful microbursts will exceed $3.5 million. In Franklin County, the storm severely damaged the Ottawa Municipal Airport and destroyed the Village Inn Motel, ripped out power poles and lines and upended truck trailers. If the federal declaration is approved, cities and counties in the path of the storm could get reimbursements for repairs and cleanup after the July 8 storm. Other counties hit by the storms include Allen, Bourbon and Sedgwick counties.
