State may qualify for federal funds
The recent winter storm has brought widespread power losses, traffic accidents, and related injuries, and tons of debris resulting from broken tree limbs.
Governor Kathleen Sebelius proclaimed 56 counties, including Marion County, as part of a declaration of a State of Disaster emergency. This declaration is the first step at the state level to provide a coordinated response to disasters that overwhelm local governments.
The state's disaster declaration opens the doors for the Governor to request a Presidential Disaster Declaration, should the extent of damage fall within the federal eligibility requirements.
Total damages for each county must be significant to qualify on its own, and the state to qualify as a whole.
The program most likely to be activated for this particular disaster is the "public assistance" program.
This program reimburses state and local governments and non-profit organizations for the cost of restoring services to the public.
Before a county qualifies for aid to individuals one of the two following criteria must be met:
— The disaster must affect at least 200 primary residences in each county with uninsured damage of 40-100 percent to the home itself. Damage to garages or outbuildings is not considered. The damage to the home has to be severe enough that the occupants cannot live in it for 30 days or more.
— Disaster damage must affect 25 homes or businesses of at least 40 percent uninsured loss in the same county.
