Saline County declares local disaster after hail storm; preliminary damages $3.5 million

The Saline County Board of Commissioners on May 5 adopted a formal local disaster declaration for a hail storm that struck last week, after the county’s emergency management director reported preliminary damage assessments totaling about $3.5 million.

Emergency Management Director Michelle Weise told commissioners the county’s threshold for a local disaster had already been exceeded and staff would compile and submit damage assessments to the state. "As of right now ... we are already at $3.5 million in damages," Weise said, and county staff will also "turn them into the state by the 8th." She added the county will pursue Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loan options and distribute an assessment tool for affected small businesses to document losses.

Why it matters: the declaration allows county staff to seek state and federal assistance and to begin coordinated recovery planning, including public‑assistance applications and small‑business loan outreach. Weise said the county will be gathering both residential and business damage reports and that assistance eligibility requires meeting federal/state thresholds for uninsured losses and economic injury.

Commission action and next steps: the commission adopted resolution 26‑2449 to formalize the declaration. Commissioners thanked emergency management staff and insurance representatives present; Weise said insurance adjusters were conducting roof and vehicle inspections and that the county had identified damaged county vehicles and some Road & Bridge facilities for further review. County staff will continue damage assessment, submit the packet to the state, and notify businesses about SBA options.

No vote tallies beyond an aye/aye voice vote were recorded on the resolution. The county will provide updates after state review of the submitted assessments.