Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Wednesday that she has asked for federal assistance to repair damaged state and local infrastructure in Douglas and Wyandotte counties from the March 12 storm.

“We want things to return to normal as quickly as possible for the KU campus and those impacted in these two counties,” Sebelius said. “I appreciated President Bush’s phone call expressing concern shortly after the storms, and I hope we hear back from our federal partners quickly on this request.”

The storm generated high straight-line microburst winds, hail and lightning.

Damage totals were approximately $5 million in Douglas County and $500,000 in Wyandotte County. Preliminary assessments indicated the most severe impacts to state and local infrastructure included power lines, utility poles, debris removal, school buildings, vehicle damage and state-owned facilities.