By Scout Nelson
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated several counties in Kansas as natural disaster areas after severe storms, straightline winds, and flooding caused major damage. This presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to offer emergency loans to agricultural producers who were affected by the disaster.
The emergency loan program helps farmers and ranchers recover losses caused by natural disasters. Producers may use these loans to replace essential farm equipment, purchase livestock, reorganize farm operations, or refinance certain debts related to the disaster.
Before approving assistance, the Farm Service Agency reviews each application carefully. Officials consider the level of loss experienced by the producer, available security for the loan, and the producer’s ability to repay the loan.
The disaster declaration covers several counties in Kansas. The primary counties eligible for assistance include Barton, Comanche, Edwards, Hodgeman, Logan, Morris, Ottawa, Rawlins, Saline, Stevens, Sumner, and Wyandotte.
In addition, farmers in nearby counties may also qualify for assistance. Contiguous counties in Kansas that are eligible include Barber, Butler, Chase, Cheyenne, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Cowley, Decatur, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Geary, Gove, Grant, Gray, Harper, Haskell, Johnson, Kingman, Kiowa, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Lyon, McPherson, Marion, Mitchell, Morton, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rice, Rush, Russell, Scott, Sedgwick, Seward, Sherman, Stafford, Stanton, Thomas, Wabaunsee, Wallace, and Wichita.
Counties in nearby states are also included in the disaster designation. These include Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties in Missouri; Dundy, Hitchcock, and Red Willow counties in Nebraska; and Grant, Harper, Kay, Texas, and Woods counties in Oklahoma.
Farmers and ranchers who wish to apply for emergency assistance must submit their applications by August 19, 2026. The disaster loan program is designed to help producers recover from storm damage and continue their agricultural operations.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides several assistance programs for individuals, public groups such as government agencies, and private nonprofit organizations. To learn about available help after a disaster, visit fema.gov/assistance.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: Kansas, Government & Policy, Weather