Governor Laura Kelly sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency asking for a major presidential disaster declaration for the Public Assistance Program due to damage to public infrastructure caused by severe storms and flooding during the period of June 3-7, 2025. Due to severe storms and flooding multiple counties sustained damage to utility infrastructure, roads, and bridges.
On June 24, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management requested a joint Public Assistance Program to assess damage caused during the period of June 3-7.
Counties included in this request included: Barber, Butler, Chase, Cowley, Coffey, Franklin, Greenwood, Harper, Hodgeman, Kingman, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Stanton, Sumner and Wallace.
“Due to the extent of the damage, it will be important to have federal support available to assist rural electric cooperatives and municipally owned utilities rebuild their electric utility infrastructure,” Governor Kelly said.
Extension To File
Governor Kelly also sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting an extension to submit requests for major presidential disasters for the public assistance program for the incident period of July 17-22.
Governor Kelly has requested an extension to Sept. 20, for the severe thunderstorms, accompanied by large hail, damaging straight-line winds, tornadoes and torrential rainfall resulting in areal flooding as well as flooding along rivers, creeks, and streams.
“These extensions are requested because the counties have been impacted by multiple storm systems which has created difficulties completing damage assessments,” Governor Kelly said. “I am seeking time to collect data and validate all legitimate expenses to aid local governments in restoring their infrastructure.”
Governor Kelly made the request to allow more time for preliminary damage assessments to seek federal assistance through the Public Assistance Program as well as time to review the assessment data. The program provides funds on a costshare basis to repair damaged public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.
