GOVERNOR DECLARES DISASTER EMERGENCY FOR KANSAS

12/10/2007
News from The Adjutant General's Department Kansas Army National Guard Kansas Air National Guard Kansas Emergency Management Kansas Homeland Security Civil Air Patrol CONTACT: Sharon Watson Director, Public Affairs Work: (785) 274-1192 Cell: (785) 806-4063 Pager (785) 575-7113 www.Kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 10, 2007 No. 07-181 GOVERNOR DECLARES DISASTER EMERGENCY FOR KANSAS In anticipation of a strong winter storm expected to move across the state today through Wednesday, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has declared a state of disaster declaration. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for most of the state with ice accumulations of up to two inches possible in some areas. The governor's declaration is in anticipation of the need for additional state resources to be provided to counties responding to the storm. "We are ready to assist local governments as conditions worsen and make it possible that state resources will be needed," Sebelius said. "We urge everyone to be extremely careful as conditions are expected to become very dangerous in some areas." The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has activated the State Emergency Operations Center and it will remain activated throughout the storm to coordinate the response and recovery needed by local governments impacted by the storm. Currently, approximately 15,000 residents of Cherokee County in southeast Kansas are without power due to ice on power lines. The power outage is covering approximately 80 percent of the county. The town of Chetopa (Southeast Labette County) which has a population of approximately 1,300 people, is completely without power. There are 5,000 people reported to be without power in Crawford County. -30-

Related Links:
Douglas County Emergency Management - http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/em_home.aspx

Media Contact:
Teri Smith
Emergency Management Department
785-838-2460
tsmith@douglas-county.com