FEMA has announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of Kansas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on June 26, 2007, and continuing. FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush. The President's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private non-profit organizations. Paulison named Michael L. Karl as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Karl said damage surveys have been requested and will be conducted as soon as the situation permits and that additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are completed.

The following statement has been provided by FEMA to give an update on its current activities in the Kansas area:

FEMA has already:
* Mobilized response personnel and continue to coordinate with state, local and federal responders in the affected areas.
* Conducted Preliminary Damage Assessments.
* Provided three trailers of potable water to Kansas as requested by the state.

FEMA’s current priorities are:
* Maintain coordination with state and local emergency operations centers.
* Stage and deploy federal assets as needed to support state and local requests.
* Begin additional Preliminary Damage Assessments.

In addition, consistent with the National Response Plan, numerous other federal departments and agencies have begun to provide assistance, including:

* The US Environmental Protection Agency has regional offices responding to the flooding. EPA staff is conducting air and water monitoring as well as an assessment of potential hazardous substance releases and a documented crude oil spill.
* The US Army Corps of Engineers is performing levee assessments, has supplied two pumps and provided 26,000 sandbags in Kansas.
* NOAA National Weather Service offices, including its Weather Forecast Offices, Regional Offices, River Forecast Centers and the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, have provided services in support of the recent heavy rainfall and flooding.
* The National Guard Bureau is coordinating with states across the region to ensure needed resources are available as requested.
* The US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service is coordinating with impacted states in anticipation of providing assistance to food stamp recipients and to operating a Disaster Food Stamp Program as needed.
* The US Veterans Administration continues to coordinate with local, state, and Federal agencies for delivery of possible support during the crisis and remains focused on assuring the continuation of service delivery and operations.
* The US Office of Personnel Management has contacted the Federal Executive Boards in the affected areas and stands ready to offer expedited assistance to Federal agencies with any human resources management needs.

•Date: 4th July 2007• Region: US•Type: Article •Topic: DR general
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