Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has requested federal disaster declarations for 37 additional counties in Kansas because of drought, extreme heat, high winds and wildfires.
The request includes Atchison, Brown, Chase, Cherokee, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ellsworth, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Marion, Miami, Mitchell, Morris, Nemaha, Osage, Osborne, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Rush, Russell, Saline, Shawnee, Smith, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte.
DEAD CORN: This field of dryland corn in western Sedgwick County had at least some green before the latest stretch of 100-degree-plus heat arrived. It is now completely dry with no ear formation.
If approved, 103 of Kansas' 105 counties will be considered primary federal disaster areas. Because they border primary counties, Marshall and Washington counties will receive disaster declarations as contiguous counties.
Some areas of the state have received rain from scattered afternoon thunderstorms this week, but rain has been extremely spotty. The 7-day forecast calls for another week of daily highs well above 100 degrees and no rain.
"After touring portions of Kansas this week to see the drought's impact on the Kansas agriculture, it is clear the drought is growing in size and strengthening in severity," Brownback said. "Kansas farmers and ranchers are continuing to feel the devastating impacts of this drought. It is critical that they have access to resources to help cope with production losses caused by the drought."