WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today highlighted why seven counties in Kansas, impacted by Tuesday night’s tornadoes, need to be added to the national emergency declaration President Donald Trump approved on Tuesday to counties impacted by severe flooding.

“Mr. President, I ask that you please expedite the Governor' s request for assistance due to a number of mitigating factors, including weather forecasts predicting more storms, strains already placed on state and local resources, as well as the extreme damage already witnessed across the state,” Senator Roberts wrote.  “The road to recovery will be long, but with the efforts of our first responders coupled with your help we will be able to overcome. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.”

Full text of the letter is below:

President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C.  20500

Dear President Trump:

I write to ask for your authorization allowing the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the authority to provide appropriate assistance to state and local agencies in the Kansas counties affected by both the straight line storm systems and most recently, tornadoes across Kansas.

            Last night, multiple tornadoes, including one reportedly more than a mile wide, tore through the heartland, destroying Kansans’ homes, businesses and livelihoods. This afternoon, Governor Laura Kelly added seven more counties to the state disaster proclamation issued on May 9 after extreme rains swelled rivers and overtopped levees, causing destructive flooding.  This declaration now brings the total number of counties to 56, encompassing more than half the state.

            Mr. President, I ask that you please expedite the Governor’s request for assistance due to a number of mitigating factors, including weather forecasts predicting more storms, strains already placed on state and local resources, as well as the extreme damage already witnessed across the state. The road to recovery will be long, but with the efforts of our first responders coupled with your help, we will be able to overcome. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.