HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Federal aid is on the way for Reno County and other areas of Kansas hit hard by the flooding and violent weather. President Trump has granted a request from Governor Laura Kelly for an emergency federal disaster declaration. It is for 18 Kansas counties affected by severe weather, heavy rains and flooding that currently is impacting the state.

Along with Reno County, the president’s assistance includes Anderson, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Elk, Franklin, Greenwood, Harvey, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Reno, Sumner, Wilson and Woodson. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further evaluation.

An emergency declaration supplements state and local government efforts for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety. It is also to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe through direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures.