WASHINGTON — Pres. Barack Obama has issued a federal disaster declaration for 45 counties in Kansas because of the severe winter storms from Dec. 22 through Jan. 8. As a result, Franklin County is pulling together the final costs of dealing the Christmas blizzard and the following winter storm, said county public works director Jim Haag. The county will be reimbursed 85 percent of its costs for dealing with the storms, he said. Although the county knows the total tab for the storm costs, Haag said he’s still working on the price list for those items that are eligible for reimbursement by the federal and state governments. Gov. Mark Parkinson made the request for a federal declaration last month. Obama’s declaration lists 45 counties eligible for 75 percent reimbursement for emergency work and the repair and replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Besides Franklin County, Anderson, Linn, Miami and Osage counties are included in the declaration. Obama’s declaration also provides additional money for Osage County. Coffey and Douglas counties didn’t have enough damage or expenses to qualify for federal assistance. The Kansas Adjutant General’s office says the declaration makes a special grant program available for certain non-profit agencies.
