City of Arkansas City Seeks Disaster Relief for Local Businesses Impacted by June 17 Storm

Following the devastating hailstorm that struck Arkansas City on June 17, 2025, City Manager Randy Frazer has been in active communication with county, state, and federal officials to pursue every possible avenue of relief for affected business owners. 

The storm, which produced baseball- to softball-sized hail measuring up to 3.75 inches in diameter and wind gusts reaching 86 mph, caused widespread damage to both residential and commercial properties throughout the community. 

“While many of our commercial property owners carry insurance, the deductibles on those policies can be incredibly high—some reaching $40,000 or more,” Frazer said. “For small, locally owned businesses, that’s a serious obstacle to recovery. We are committed to helping our local businesses get back on their feet as quickly as possible.” 

The Cowley County Board of Commissioners issued a local disaster declaration shortly after the storm. That declaration has been submitted to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM), which is currently assessing the extent of the damage to determine whether the threshold for public assistance has been met. 

According to KDEM, if at least 25 properties—commercial or residential—are confirmed to have sustained significant structural damage, such as roof loss or major interior damage, the community may become eligible for low-interest recovery loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). 

Emergency Services Director Doug Allison said he has not yet received word from KDEM regarding the status of their assessment for public assistance but is continuing proactive outreach. 

“I am planning to reach out to businesses and property owners next week in Arkansas City to discuss property assessments, provide information from the Kansas Insurance 

Department, and share guidance on avoiding roofing fraud,” Allison said. “I’ve also asked Jessica Falk, Economic Development & Marketing Coordinator for Cowley County, to join me in these visits to answer questions and provide details about potential loans, grants, or other recovery programs business owners may wish to pursue.” 

City officials have also contacted state and federal legislators, formally requesting information on available disaster relief options through SBA, FEMA, USDA Rural Development, and the Kansas Department of Commerce. These may include low-interest loans, grants, or Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. 

If Cowley County meets the public assistance threshold—set at $163,071.28—the next step will be seeking individual assistance for businesses and private property owners. This would activate the SBA loan process and open additional recovery resources for the local community. 

“We are turning over every stone and working with partners at every level—from local to federal—to find solutions,” Frazer added. “We know how important these businesses are to the heart of our community.”