Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius added Harper and Leavenworth counties Friday to those covered by a disaster emergency declaration prompted by winter storms.

They joined 28 other counties on the list.

Because of significant snow in south-central, southeast and northeast Kansas, the governor issued the original declaration Thursday for counties primarily south of Interstate 70 to the Oklahoma border, and east of Interstate 35 to the Missouri line.

“It’s critical we continue keeping a close eye on our communities as storms move through our state,” she said.

Kansas Emergency Management spokeswoman Sharon Watson said Fort Scott officials were worried that a heavy snow load could collapse the roof of the building housing the police and fire departments and county dispatch center. She said parts of the area received 3 to 4 feet of snow.

Watson said the fire department moved its equipment and personnel to the National Guard armory, the police department will operate from City Hall and the dispatch center will move to the Bourbon County Courthouse.

The Highway Patrol conducted aerial observation over the counties affected by the storm to determine whether any motorists were stranded and to assess damage and road condition.

Blaike Boyd, 10, left, dodges a snowball thrown at her by her older sister Baiyli Boyd, 11, as they play on a mound of shoveled snow in a parking lot Friday in Wichita. Thursday's snow and ice were starting to clear up and melt thanks to warmer temperatures.

“The use of aircraft for observation is allowing the Highway Patrol to see into areas not visible by patrol car and quickly cover multiple counties in an effort to save lives,” said Col. William Seck, patrol superintendent.

The emergency declaration ensures state resources are available to areas severely affected by the storm. It also expedites the restoration of electrical power by resolving issues related to overtime of employees working to restore power.

The State Emergency Operations Center was pressed into service Wednesday in anticipation of the storm, which began that afternoon with freezing rain, sleet, snow, high winds and temperatures below freezing.

Conditions worsened Thursday night in some areas and additional snow left some counties with approximately 2 feet.

Counties in the initial declaration were Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Douglas, Elk, Franklin, Greenwood, Johnson, Labette, Linn, Lyon, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Sumner, Wilson, Woodson and Wyandotte.