US declares disaster area
2007-05-06 16:50
Washington - President George W Bush on
Sunday declared Kiowa County, Kansas, a major disaster area
available for federal aid after a tornado destroyed the town of
Greensburg and killed eight people.
Bush also ordered federal aid to supplement state and local
recovery efforts in the area of southwestern Kansas, which was
hit by a series of tornadoes on Friday evening, the White House
said.
Most of the buildings in Greensburg, a town of about 1 800
people, were levelled when a twister measuring a mile wide and
with winds of 165 mph roared through the community on Friday
evening.
Eight people were killed in Greensburg and one in nearby
Stafford County.
"Our hearts are heavy for the loss of life in Greensburg,
Kansas," Bush said on Sunday after attending church in
Washington. "I'm confident this community will be rebuilt."
Bush's declaration makes federal funding available to
affected individuals in Kiowa County. Assistance can include
grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans
to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help
individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the
disaster, the White House said.