Kansas Governor Says Tornado Relief Will Slow Because Equipment Is In Iraq

Kathleen Sebelius said tornado recovery in Kansas has slowed because much of the equipment needed such as trucks and helicopters has been sent to Iraq:

A shortage of trucks, helicopters and other equipment -- all sent to the war in Iraq -- has hampered recovery in a U.S. town obliterated by a tornado, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said on Monday.

"There is no doubt at all that this will slow down and hamper the recovery," Sebelius, a Democrat, told Reuters in Kansas, where officials said the statewide death toll had risen to 12 on Monday.

"Not having this equipment in place all over the state is a huge handicap," Sebelius said.