Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Sedgwick County Emergency Manager Randy Duncan says he believes the city and county will qualify for federal disaster aid after last month's tornado left a path of destruction.

The Wichita City Council declared a state of emergency Tuesday for the area hit by the April 14 tornado. Council members also approved a special account to be set up to track costs of cleanup to the city. So far the city has spent more than $800,000 in labor and equipment costs to remove debris and fix damaged city buildings.

Last week individual homeowners learned they did not qualify for federal assistance. Now city and county leaders are waiting to see if they qualify for state and federal aid. It could take up to 90 days before FEMA responds.