Figures come in from preliminary damage assessment teams
On Wednesday, Jan. 12, Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams began verifying damage estimates from counties affected by the severe ice storms that struck the state Jan. 3-5. Early figures indicate that total damages eligible for reimbursement in the event of a presidential disaster declaration may exceed $40 million.
In Butler County, $8 million worth of damage has been verified, which includes debris removal and damage to rural electrical utilities.
Debris removal in Sedgwick County may cost approximately $300,000 and damage to rural electric systems was about $950,000. The city of Wichita sustained $5.3 million in damages, which includes debris removal.
PDA teams verified $7,000,000 of debris and electrical damage in Wyandotte County. Lyon County had $2.12 million in damage to rural electrical systems and another $714,495 in debris removal costs.
Approximately 790 customers are still without power. Kansas Electric Cooperatives had assistance from two crews from Missouri and one from Oklahoma. Westar Energy had 370 crews from Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kentucky, Colorado, Wyoming, Illinois, Nebraska, New Mexico, West Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, and Arkansas assisting with restoring power.
A preliminary report by the PDA teams totaling all damages to all affected counties was to be available by Tuesday, Jan. 18. The figures listed above do not include any costs incurred by the state for assistance given through the Kansas Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections, the Kansas National Guard or any other state agency.
Kansas Emergency Management officials reiterated that all the above damages are for "Public Assistance" only. The "Public Assistance" program reimburses state and local governments and non-profit organizations for the cost of restoring services to the public. Rumors have spread that citizens can be reimbursed for costs resulting from the storms, such as purchasing a generator. This is not true. There are no plans to ask that the federal "Individual Assistance" program be activated at this time.
Before a county qualifies for aid to individuals, one of the two following criteria must be met:
1. 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 garage 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.
2. Disaster damage must affect 25 homes or businesses with at least 40 percent uninsured loss in the same county.
Damage to landscape (including trees), food spoilage, purchase of generators or the fuel to run them are not eligible under any federal program. Assistance to uninsured individuals may come from local relief organizations, such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way and others.
Insured individuals should notify their insurance agent of their damages as soon as possible. Consumers are also cautioned to be alert for scam artists offering to remove debris or restore electrical service. KDEM advises citizens to look first to licensed local contractors who have performed well in the past. If they cannot help, it is advised that consumers ask them to recommend a reputable contractor and also talk to several contractors before signing anything.
Neither federal nor state emergency management approves or licenses contractors. Beware of any contractors displaying signs or paperwork stating they are approved, licensed, authorized or commissioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or Kansas Emergency Management.
