County paving way for financial aid from flood damage

The Harvey County Commission on Monday signed a proclamation of local disaster emergency as a result of flash flooding during the weekend.

Signing the proclamation will allow the county to apply for state and/or federal funds if there was enough damage done by flooding.

The flooding was a result of three days of rain, reported at 7 inches in Newton. County resident Floyd Webber reported between 10 and 12 inches of rain during the three-day period at his home on Chisholm Lane.

In addition to roads being closed, tragedy struck just south of the Harvey/Sedgwick county line when the body of 64-year-old Robert Bennett of Sedgwick was discovered beside his flooded-out car on West Street just south of his hometown.

Harvey County Director of Emergency Management Lon Buller told the county commission on Monday he does not have damage estimates available.

He will contact each town