Bush declares tornado-struck Kansas disaster area

WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) President George W Bush today declared Kiowa County, Kansas, a major disaster area available for federal aid after a tornado destroyed the town of Greensburg and killed eight people.

Bush also ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area of southwestern Kansas, which was hit by a series of tornadoes on Friday evening, the White House said.

Most of the buildings in Greensburg, a town of about 1,800 people, were leveled when a twister measuring a mile wide and with winds of 165 mph roared through the community on Friday evening.

Eight people were killed in Greensburg and one in nearby Stafford County.

''Our hearts are heavy for the loss of life in Greensburg, Kansas,'' Bush said today after attending church in Washington.

''I'm confident this community will be rebuilt.'' Bush's declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Kiowa County. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster, the White House said.

REUTERS AB RAI1914