D2 Cat

Water water everywhere, and not a drop to drink.

Since Wed. 6/27 at 4PM and ending Sunday 7/1 at 7AM we've taken on 21" of rain. Oh, some folks just got 15 inches or so, some up at Rich Hill, Mo. got 25" according to the national weather boys!

My wife took pictures today, but I'd need a slow and meticulous lesson on how to post before you can see them. Or you could just watch CNN.

edwinsmith

I'm down here in Coffeyville and we got big problems. See my other post. The refinery broke an oil line and is leaking into the flood waters and threatening towns south of here also. Our water supply is in jeopardy. The levee broke about 3am this morning and flooded about 1/3 of the city east and north ends.

Edwin

D2 Cat

Yea, they got Osawatomie shut down. The Osage and the Potawatomie converge there (thus the name) and the RR comes thru town. The RR makes it real difficult to get a good seal on the dike around town. Well the troopers and some Nat. Guard are stopping all traffic exiting 169 and if you can't prove you reside in town you don't go---not even to the gas station. The river was at 43' this afternoon and the Corp. indicated it was going up another 3'. That's supposively 1' less then the flood of '51.

I had a plastic protien tub empty Wed afternoon when I left my farm 20 miles south of town. Today the tub was overflowing. Same with a 7' cattle water tank.

At 4PM today driving south on 169 I could see some houses on the south end of town with only the shingles showing.

edwinsmith

You got National Guard???? All we got is the EPA. All our guard is in Iraq risking their lives. MAybe Washington will send FEMA tomorrow if they're not to busy playing golf or something.

Chrisreyn

Edwin, I spoke with the TAG this( Monday) afternoon, and tho they were asked, no-one in Coffeyville had requested NG assistance.. there has to be a request made from the local govt.(I mentioned your post to him). As of that time, 1500, they have personell ready to go, but no request for assistance...

latest Press Release::

News from
The Adjutant General's Department

Kansas Army National Guard Kansas Air National Guard Kansas Emergency Management

Kansas Homeland Security Civil Air Patrol




www.Kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2007

No. 07-116



UPDATE TO FLOODING DAMAGE



The Kansas National Guard and Kansas Highway Patrol escorted Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general and director of Kansas Emergency Manager, and other dignitaries on aerial and ground surveys of the flooded areas on Monday. The team accompanied the Governor on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation, Kansas National Guard.

“We are working hard to secure the help the residents of southeast Kansas need to recover from this disaster,” said Governor Sebelius. “I have submitted a request to President Bush to issue a federal disaster declaration for 18 Kansas counties so that our state may receive additional assistance for our citizens.” The state expects to soon receive information regarding the request.

Governor Sebelius issued a State Declaration of Disaster for the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Elk, Franklin, Greenwood, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Wilson, and Woodson. Additional counties may be added as circumstances warrant.



Water Rations Encouraged
Many water treatment plants have been flooded, and potable water is being sent to the effected areas. Residents are urged to ration their existing water sources. The recommended use is one gallon per person per day. Water rationing is strongly encouraged in city of Osawatomie and the following counties: Montgomery, Elk, Wilson, Neosho, Allen, and Miami.

The Salvation Army and American Red Cross are supplying drinking water at established shelters. Residents do not have to be staying at a shelter to receive the water. Pallets of drinking water have been delivered to Elk, Wilson, and Neosho counties. State officials are working to secure additional bottled drinking water for residents of southeast Kansas who were impacted by flooding this weekend.

Health officials are encouraging residents to stay out of the flood waters due to sewage, hazardous materials, and other spills. If anyone has been in flood waters, they should contact the nearest health department for a tetanus and Hepatitis A vaccines.



Pomona Dam

Pomona Dam in Osage County is structurally sound and the U.S. Corp of Engineers will coordinate any releases of water with communities down stream to ensure there are not additional flooding concerns. There are also no evacuations of the Pomona area.

There are no anticipated releases from John Redmond Reservoir for at least seven days, according to the U.S. Corp of Engineers. Releases from Fall River will start after water recedes in the Fredonia area.



Water Rescues Continue
Motorists are encouraged not to drive through high waters. The depth of the water and strength of the water flow may be difficult to determine and could potentially sweep vehicles off the roadway. In addition, individuals are asked not to attempt to walk or swim in the flood waters due to the dangers associated with strong flood waters and the potential for drowning.

A Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter was dispatched to Labette County on Sunday night to assist a family in need of rescue due to fast-rising flood waters from the Neosho River. Three adult females and two young boys were airlifted to safety. The helicopter returned and picked up an elderly man and woman, who were airlifted to the Labette County Fire Department landing zone near US 400 highway and Wallace Road.

The Patrol’s aircraft is continuing to assess the impacted areas as the water recedes. In addition, 15 road troopers are assisting with security and general law enforcement duties in Osawatomie.

Swift Water Rescue teams from Topeka-Shawnee County, the Pittsburg Fire Department, Johnson County-Overland Park, Lenexa, and the city of Shawnee have been working to rescue those found stranded in high water. An additional swift water rescue team from Leawood has responded to the area to assist.

Additional swift water teams are being requested for assistance in this area. Teams with necessary equipment and training should contact the local emergency managers before heading to the damaged areas.



Oil Spills and Hazardous Materials Assessment
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was on the ground Monday to assess oil and other hazardous material spills and to perform air monitoring. The Coffeyville Regional Hazardous Materials Team also was conducting hydro-carbon monitoring. The EPA has conducted aerial surveillance of the affected areas. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and EPA representatives from Kansas and Oklahoma are assessing an oil spill of more than 1,000 barrels from the Coffeyville Resources and Refinery. A hazards materials team from the Kansas Fire Marshal Office was deployed.


National Guard Assistance
The Kansas National Guard is conducting the following missions:

891st Engineering Battalion: Twelve personnel are providing security in Iola.
891st Engineering Battalion: Approximately eight personnel are assisting stranded residents in Petrolia.
287th Sustainment Brigade: Nine personnel are hauling 10 pallets of water from Kansas City, Mo., to Neodesha.
105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment: Five personnel have been assigned to Chanute and Osawatomie to assist with public information duties.
1 Battalion, 161 Field Artillery: Twenty-three personnel are providing security in Chanute.


Road Closure Update
The Kansas Department of Transportation reports the following closings, as of 2:30 p.m., Monday:

Bourbon County – K-31
Cherokee County – US 160 and US 166
Elk County – US-160
Franklin County – US 59 and K-68
Labette County – US 166 and US 400
Linn County – K-152, K-52, and US 69
Montgomery County – US 166, US 160, and US 169
Neosho County – K-39, K-47, and US 59


Road closures may be monitored by going to www.kanroad.org. As water recedes, KDOT officials are checking roads and bridges for damage caused by high water.



Current Open Shelters
Allen County

Iola – Red Barn
Franklin County

Ottawa – Fairgrounds
Miami County

Osawatomie – Trojan Elementary School
Montgomery County

Independence – First United Methodist Church
Coffeyville – Sycamore Landing (Genesis Inc.), First Assembly of God Church, First Southern Baptist Church, Coffeyville High School food center
Rural Dearing – Crossroads Church
Neosho County

Chanute – Chanute High School
Osage County

Quenemo – American Red Cross Community Disaster Center, which is open 10 a.m., to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center will be closed on July 4th.
Wilson County

Altoona – Altoona-Midway High School
Fredonia – First Christian Church
Neodesha – The Civic Center
The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are establishing food banks to provide food for persons in the flood-affected areas. They are providing non-perishable, ready-to-eat meals that either do not require heating or include a self-heating system, such as military-type Meals Ready to Eat (MRE). Both organizations are requesting cash donations rather than donations of food so needs may be assessed and adequate provisions may be purchased. Donations may be made online at www.Redcroswsw.org, 1-800-RED-CROSS, www.salvationarmy.org, or 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

92DuallyCTD

Kudos to Chris for investigating the situation from the 'other side', so to speak. I know there is protocol and regs to follow, but it still amazes me sometimes in this 'instant information age' wherein someone half-round the world in Thailand knows immediately what's happened in Kansas via CNN satellite feed and recognizes the need, THAT THERE STILL MUST BE A 'REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE before readied personnel can be sent to assist?? Just another example of our well-oiled gov't machine at work, making the most of our tax dollars...while people such as Edwin & Co.(not to mention still-suffering Katrina and Greensburg KS victims too) must make do on their own. Ya got my sympathy Ed, wish I could do something immediately to help. Maybe Chris can push a little harder 'at the top'?? OK, disengaging rant mode... ;-)

Chrisreyn

The request is just a phone call... .and a I spoke with one of the KDEM manageres about an hour ago,after making the above post,and a request WAS made... then cancelled???
they dont understand why either, but its the county and city's decision...

I can t"push' nuttin, I am just a very little indian around here...I am borderline stepping out of bounds having the conversation with the TAG that I did...

92DuallyCTD

Yeah, that's probably true, but the important thing to all these people in need is you HAVE tried to become involved and help, right? Even to the point, as you say, of really risking your position? Man, that takes guts and a big pair!! You got my respect buddy, hands down. I thank you for your efforts from afar, wish I could do more than just donate to the funds(which I have). It sucks to watch fellow Americans(or anyone for that matter) in need and not be able to rush over with help. But that would create a logistics nightmare, so I'll just hafta wait here I suppose! Good luck all, keep up the good work Chris, keep us informed, will you? Salutations!

Joe T

That's kinda like saying George Bush doesn't care for black people .

Chrisreyn

Thats teh kinda comment that gets these threads shut down.. lets keep our political opinions "ours" shall we??

03qclb5spd

The best part of that was the look on Mike Myers face, but he did a good job holding himself together despite the idiot next to him.

Joe T

It's a valid point... Blaming FEMA because the local govt bites off more than it can chew by not calling them in isn't right.

FWIW, about 90% of my job right now is dealing with FEMA , they aren't great, but blaming them for something they have no control over is absurd.

D2 Cat

FEMA called me Moday, the 2nd, from Greensburg wanting to know of any rental residental properties available. Not sure where they got my name, but they are they are moving.

There are many homes still full of water today.

Edwin, when the folks began to remove water from their basement levels they need to pump with the consideration of the water concentration and hydraulic pressure on their walls. When the water is pumped too fast the pressure will move the walls in, and sometimes quickly!