Saline County Formally Declares Disaster Emergency After More Than $3.5M Hail Storm Damage

The Saline County Commission formally declared a state of local disaster emergency on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, following a severe hail storm that struck the county the previous week.

Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director, presented the declaration during the commission meeting, outlining the significant damage caused by the storm that occurred on Monday, April 28.

"I am here to declare the hail storm that we experienced last Monday as a state of local disaster," Weis told commissioners. She noted that Commission Chairman Grevas had already provided a verbal declaration, and Tuesday's action formalized the emergency status.

Damages Exceed Threshold

Preliminary damage assessments reveal the storm's impact far surpasses the county's disaster threshold. While Saline County needs just under $264,000 in damages to qualify for state assistance, current estimates already total $3.5 million.

"As we've done damage assessments thus far, we are just looking at under $264,000 to reach our threshold, and currently, as of right now, which is very preliminary, we are already at $3.5 million in damages," Weis explained.

The Emergency Management Director said she will submit complete assessments to the state by May 8.

Help for Small Businesses

In addition to public assistance, the county is pursuing disaster loan programs for affected small businesses, including SBA loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Weis said her office will distribute assessment tools to small businesses to determine eligibility. To qualify for federal assistance, the county must demonstrate either five small businesses sustained significant economic injury, or 25 homes and businesses suffered 40% or more in uninsured damages.

The commission unanimously approved Resolution 26-2449, officially adopting the disaster declaration.