CEE News Home Page

		Destroyed Trees and Downed Power Lines
		Kansas City residents submitted these photos to a local television station. To see the full extent of the damage to Kansas City's neighborhoods, visit kctv5's Web site.

State of Emergency

Bush orders federal disaster funds for Kansas and Missouri after ice storm strikes Midwest The crippling winter ice storm left many Missourians and Kansans without power and caused significant damage to trees and power lines. To help families and businesses recover from the disaster, President Bush ordered a major disaster declaration, which covers damage to private and public property from the recent severe winter ice storm. As part of the declaration, federal disaster funds were made available to Missouri and Kansas on Feb. 6 to supplement state and local response efforts. Following the President's action, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Joe M. Allbaugh also designated 33 counties in Missouri and 35 counties in Kansas as eligible for aid to affected residents and business owners. The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Power Restoration

Utility crews restore power to Kansas City residents Kansas City Power and Light (KCP&L) crews have been working around the clock to restore power to Kansas City residents. View a map of the crew assignments in the KCP&L service area and a service restoration update.

Understanding Power Outages

The local newspaper, the Kansas City Star, worked with KCP&L to create this graphic to teach customers about power outages and the length of time for restoration.

How You Can Help

kctv5 offered the following ways for Kansas City residents to help out during the ice storm. Community Blood Center The appeal went out on Feb. 4 for blood donors in Kansas City, Mo. Because of last week's storm, 15 blood drives were canceled. The Community Blood Center was nearly 1,000 units short. To give, you can call 816-753-4040 to schedule an appointment. The center is at 4040 Main St. Salvation Army The Salvation Army asked for donations of batteries and flashlights for out-of-state utility crews on Feb. 4. The crews were working into the night. If you would like to help, drop off your flashlight and batteries at the Salvation Army warehouse at 1110 E. Truman Road or call 816-898-9830 for more information. City Union Mission The City Union Mission in Kansas City, Mo., saw record numbers of homeless people during the ice disaster. The shelter usually helps 100 people a night. They helped 200 people per night last week, and they were overcrowded. The mission worked with a generator somebody donated, but they needed more generators. They also needed bath towels and financial donations. If you can help, call 816-474-9380.