Allen County will be eligible for federal disaster funding after a July 14 storm that blew down trees and cut power for days throughout the area.
President Joe Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for 20 counties affected by the storm.
Allen County Emergency Management Director Jason Trego said it’s not yet known how much money the county will receive.
Each city and the county will need to submit their own claims.
Trego said Iola and Humboldt’s utilities were hit hardest by the storm.
The county, meanwhile, was saddled with removing damaged trees along rural roads.
The reimbursement applies only to municipal and county bodies, and not to private properties. It covers the time period of July 14 to 21, 2023.
A representative from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management will contact city leaders with more information and assistance with the application process.
The federal declaration also makes the county eligible for certain hazard mitigation grants to prepare for future natural disasters.
Trego said he also applied for a hazard mitigation grant to replace a storm siren in Mildred. Even if the grant is not successful, he plans to install a new siren to replace an older model that is not working properly.
The siren was one of the top requests to come from a recent community conversation in Mildred, hosted by Thrive Allen County.
TUESDAY morning’s county commission meeting, which took place on Halloween, was briefly interrupted by a parade of costumed preschoolers who walked past the window. Commissioners stopped to watch.
The children then paraded through the courthouse for treats.
DEWAYNE MILLER, representing St. John’s Catholic parish, asked for permission to use the courthouse gazebo for a Rosary Rally at 3 p.m. Nov. 10. The event is open to everyone and will honor first responders and the military with prayer.
