Pott County included in federal disaster declaration resulting from spring storms

President Joe Biden has issued a federal disaster declaration for several Kansas counties, including Pottawatomie County, after severe weather causes damage in late April, state officials announced Monday.

The declaration allows for state and local governments, as well as certain nonprofits that provide essential services, to apply for public assistance funds for emergency and permanent work to repair or replace damaged infrastructure.

Additionally, the declaration activates the Hazard Mitigation grant program statewide for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly requested the declaration Biden after severe storms with large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and flooding affected several communities in the state April 25-30.

“I am grateful that the request has been approved,” Kelly said in a written statement. “These funds will go a long way in supporting the restoration work by the impacted counties.”

A tornado ripped through Westmoreland April 30, leaving one person dead, two people injured and an estimated $2.6 million in damage, according to Pottawatomie County officials.

Pottawatomie County appraiser Robin Knoblauch told the county commission in May the tornado completely destroyed 17 properties, and 10 properties sustained extensive damage that made them unlivable.

Furthermore, Knoblauch said 43 other properties sustained minor to major damage. Four parcels of land just outside of Westmoreland city limits took a loss of an estimated $400,000, and that includes a brand-new property completed in March.

Earlier this month, county sanitarian Scott Schwinn reported that it had collected more than 1,700 tons of debris resulting from the tornado.

Other counties named in the federal disaster declaration include Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Elk, Greenwood, Linn, Morris, Neosho and Wilson counties.