Residents in Cowley County are now eligible for federal individual assistance to recover from flood damage caused by days of heavy rain in late June.
The announcement was made late Friday through the Kansas Adjutant General’s Office. Residents of Allen, Labette and Linn counties are now also eligible. Individual assistance had already been approved for Elk, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho and Wilson Counties.
“I am relieved the residents of these counties will now be eligible to apply for Individual Assistance,” said Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. “There are so many photos and precious mementos lost in these floods that money will never be able to replace, but money can help these families get back on track and move forward.”
A decision on assistance for Chautauqua County is pending.
Representatives with the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited Winfield Monday to assess the extent of damage to scores of flood damaged basements in Cowley County, according to Brian Stone, director of emergency management for the county. Hundreds of residents have reported damage.
Friday’s announcement means residents can apply to receive federal dollars for clean and repair of their homes. Stone said many residents were anxious about receiving the declaration for individual assistance after learning their home owner’s insurance would not cover flooding.
Stone has been asked to identify office space in Winfield to provide space for applications to be made and to answer questions.
