Director of Emergency Management Michelle Weis spoke with Salina311 about the ongoing response to the recent snowstorm that prompted Saline County to declare a state of emergency. The declaration comes in the wake of a significant snowfall that brought over 13 inches of snow to the region. Weis provided key insights into the challenges, financial implications, and steps toward securing additional assistance.
Significant Snowfall and Immediate Challenges
“We received 13+ inches of snow,” Weis stated. This substantial accumulation has created a range of challenges, from equipment wear and tear to delays in traffic caused by snow removal efforts and road repairs.
“Normally, disasters we declare are related to incidents impacting property or life safety,” Weis explained. However, the aftermath of this snowstorm extends beyond immediate safety concerns. The freeze-thaw cycle of melting snow is expected to cause aggregate washout, further damaging county infrastructure and necessitating additional repairs.
“More material, more equipment, and more manpower will be needed, which will delay traffic as we work to make those repairs,” she added.
Financial Thresholds and Federal Assistance
The declaration of a state of emergency allows Saline County to begin seeking state and potentially federal assistance. According to Weis, the county must reach a financial damage threshold of $249,793.80 (based on 2024 data) to trigger further action.
“We’ve already incurred just under $89,000 in expenses for snow removal from county roads and bridges,” Weis said. “The city estimates at least a hundred thousand dollars has been spent on equipment and material costs.”
If the combined damages across Kansas reach the state’s threshold of $5.4 billion, it could enable requests for federal aid. Weis noted that if the federal government declares the storm a major disaster, it opens the door to seeking emergency assistance, such as Public Assistance.
“Until the federal government declares the storm, we don’t have any chance of emergency assistance,” Weis emphasized.
Confident in Reaching Local Threshold
Weis expressed confidence in Saline County’s ability to meet the necessary financial thresholds to escalate requests for aid. “I’m not concerned about us. I believe we will hit our threshold,” she said.
In the past, Saline County has faced disasters with damages over half a million dollars, underscoring the scale of potential impacts. Weis specifically cited the 2021 windstorm, which cost the county more than $500,000 in damages.
Weis reiterated the importance of bringing the situation to the public’s attention and ensuring that state and federal entities are aware of the local needs.