Brownback signs Kansas storm declaration, Douglas County included

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a disaster emergency declaration for 24 northeastern and north-central counties hit by recent flooding and heavy rain.

The declaration, signed Friday, also covers two tornadoes that did minor damage overnight Thursday in Lincoln County. No injuries were reported.

Counties included in the declaration are Atchison, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellsworth, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Shawnee and Smith.

The declaration opens the door for a potential request for federal assistance to recover costs associated with the storms.