Holden asks aid for ice storm cost

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Gov. Bob Holden on Monday formally asked President Bush for a disaster declaration for Missouri counties hit hard by last week's ice storm.

Meanwhile, the patience of some 70,000 Missouri utility customers was still being tried Monday as they remained without power after tree branches coated with ice took down power lines.

Kansas City Power & Light Co. estimated that some of its customers may have to wait until Thursday before their power is restored. Estimates from other utilities varied from a few days to another week.

Eric Sevart's home will likely be among the last in his east Kansas City neighborhood to get power restored, since KCP&L crews will have to repair the line that feeds directly into his house.

"I kind of expected we'd be one of the last taken care of," Sevart said as he paused from cleaning up downed tree limbs. "This neighborhood is trashed."

Sevart, his wife and two children remained in their home without power for two nights before staying with relatives. But on Monday they moved back home so their children could return to school, Sevart said. "It's a mess. Let's hope we get some heat back here soon," he said. "My wife is eight months pregnant and the kids are catching colds."

It's residents like Sevart, whose home suffered substantial damage from falling tree limbs, whom Holden hopes to help. The governor has asked that 14 counties be eligible for public assistance. Some of those counties, including Jackson, are among the 33 where Holden also has requested residents receive individual assistance.

The individual assistance would offer low-interest Small Business Administration loans to people who suffered losses in the storm. Grants also could be available to residents who don't have homeowners insurance.