The major rainfall over this past weekend led to leaky roofs at the Junction City High School Career Academy building and at the Freshman Success Academy.
The Chief Operations Officer for USD 475, David Wild, confirmed at the Freshman Success Academy the water leaked through the roof system into the main gym and boys locker room third floor in the northeast wing, and a portion of the principal’s office. ” Then again at the senior high school girls locker room, the main gym on the west end, so some of the continuation of the same challenges we’ve met in the past.”
Leaks in the roof have been a problem in the past and were among numerous infrastructure challenges cited when officials explained the need for a new high school. That project is now in the planning stage, with an estimated completion by the fall of 2021.
(Manhattan, Kansas, September 4, 2018) — Due to extreme flooding in the Manhattan area, Manhattan Parks and Recreation has conducted site assessments of all parks and trails in our area.
As of 3 p.m. September 4, the following areas will be closed:
All of Anneberg Park
All of Linear Trail
All soft-surfaced trails until further assessments
All sports fields until further assessments
Attached is a map detailing areas of the city that are open and closed. Closed areas are indicated in red and listed. the Each day as conditions improve, we will be making announcements on social media at 3 p.m. as to what areas will be open each day.
Currently, Anneberg Park is one of our most heavily affected areas. There is no power or restroom availability in the park. Debris is heavy in all areas of the park and is unsafe for vehicle access. Park crews will be working diligently to make improvements as quickly as possible.
We also ask as a reminder to please not walk or bike on wet trails until there has been enough time for them to dry out. This pedestrian traffic can cause ruts and damage to the trails and cause permanent damage.
TOPEKA —Gov. Jeff Colyer MD has issued a state of disaster emergency declaration for five Kansas counties affected by flooding over the weekend. Named in the declaration are Jewell, Kingman, Marshall, Pratt, and Riley Counties.
Flood victims rescued Monday in Riley County -photo RCPD
Damages in these counties included washed out roads, bridges, culverts and flooding to some businesses and residential properties.
“Here in Kansas we make it a priority to take care of our neighbors,” said Colyer. “Those impacted by the recent flooding have our full support and we will continue to do whatever is needed to help during this time of emergency.”
The state declaration may be amended to include any additional counties that declare due to flooding as damage assessments are conducted. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties that meet certain criteria.
————-
RILEY COUNTY —According to officials Anneberg Park and all soft-surface trails will remain closed until surfaces dry, debris is removed, and repairs can be made. No ballfields at any of the parks will be open for practice or play because of the soggy turf. Anneberg is currently without power or restroom facilities.
Bridges will continue to be periodically inspected to ensure safety.
Crews are working to remove debris from the storm sewer. Street sweepers are clearing mud and debris. Please be courteous of these vehicles as they work to clear the roadway.
At this time the City of Manhattan will not be conducting a mass pick up of debris or household items. The City will pick up debris for flood affected areas only. The Riley County Transfer station is currently open for people to dispose of items.
The storm generated 6-9″ of rainfall. Floods in 2009 and 2011 resulted in 3-5″ of rainfall. Water levels for this storm went beyond map projections for a 100 year flood.
28 people stayed in the emergency shelters last night.. Poliska Lane is the only area that still has standing water, according to the Riley County Police Department. It will be closed until next week when repairs can be made after conditions have dried.
People who want to help, should contact the Red Cross in Manhattan.
The Junction City Fire Department will host a retirement reception for Vernon Johnson on September 19th from 3-5 p.m. in the Municipal Building gymnasium.
The presentations begin around 3:30 p.m.
The public is invited to honor Johnson for his 29 years of service to the community.
Irwin Army Community Hospital and the Fort Riley American Red Cross are hosting a Value of Life Art Exhibit.
The opening reception is at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. At least 12 pieces of the exhibit were produced by hospital staff or their family members.
The Value of Life reflects a continuous Fort Riley effort to affirm the reasons for living. It’s a recast of the way we think. Instead of preventing, we are proactively bringing to light what we live for. The exhibit models how anyone can make an impact toward that objective.
The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on Wednesday is being moved indoors to the Courtyard By Marriott convention center.
The original plan called for the Expo to be held in Heritage Park but the possibility of rain is in the forecast, explained Chamber Membership Relations Director Amy Garner. “We are concerned about all the rain coming in, well and what’s already come with the mud at Heritage Park and then additional rain coming we just thought it would be easier for everybody if we just move it and don’t have to worry about that.”
There is room at the convention center for all of the Expo vendors.
The Business Expo is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Live Well Geary County is partnering with USD 475 and Manhattan Running Company to promote healthier living by hosting the fitness event Sept. 15 in Junction City. The family fitness event begins at Al Simpler Stadium, with the
community race beginning at 7:30 a.m., with the event ending at Playground 5th St Park around 1:00 p.m.
The Geary County Community Race and Pathways to Fitness event is funded through the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant and includes a community run, for ages kindergarten through adult; race awards; door prizes; free healthy snacks; local fitness vendors and health agencies; a community policy announcement for the tobacco free resolution; and a ground-breaking ceremony for the multi-generational fitness area, with the Intergenerational Clearinghouse and Resource Educational Center (I.C.A.R.E.).
Race Schedule
Al Simpler Stadium – Race Registration is $5
6:30 a.m. race check-in/packet pick-up
7:30 a.m. Community 2 mile run (including 6-12 graders)
8:45 a.m. K-2: ¼ mile run
9:15 a.m. K-2: ½ mile run
9:30 a.m. Grades 3-5, ½ mile run
10:00 a.m. Grades 3-5, 1 mile run
10:15 a.m. Grades 6-8, 1 mile run
Times are subject to change depending on the number of heats for each race. Plan to arrive early! Live Well Geary County Chair Joe Handlos said, “the results of the 2017 Community Health Needs assessment showed that only 34 percent of respondents were satisfied with opportunities for physical activity in the community.”
Live Well Geary County applied and received a grant through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways to a Healthy Kansas program to promote opportunities for fitness in the county. Additional grant funding will be used in
partnership with other agencies to fund smoking cessation education in the community.
For more information regarding race registration and the fitness event, please go to livewellgearycounty.org.
–
RILEY COUNTY —According to officials Anneberg Park and all soft-surface trails will remain closed until surfaces dry, debris is removed, and repairs can be made. No ballfields at any of the parks will be open for practice or play because of the soggy turf. Anneberg is currently without power or restroom facilities.
Bridges will continue to be periodically inspected to ensure safety.
Crews are working to remove debris from the storm sewer. Street sweepers are clearing mud and debris. Please be courteous of these vehicles as they work to clear the roadway.
At this time the City of Manhattan will not be conducting a mass pick up of debris or household items. The City will pick up debris for flood affected areas only. The Riley County Transfer station is currently open for people to dispose of items.
The storm generated 6-9″ of rainfall. Floods in 2009 and 2011 resulted in 3-5″ of rainfall. Water levels for this storm went beyond map projections for a 100 year flood.
28 people stayed in the emergency shelters last night.. Poliska Lane is the only area that still has standing water, according to the Riley County Police Department. It will be closed until next week when repairs can be made after conditions have dried.
People who want to help, should contact the Red Cross in Manhattan.
—————–
RILEY COUNTY —Bridges have been inspected and declared safe for travel. Fort Riley Blvd and Scenic Drive are open again. The only remaining road closures are S. Manhattan Ave and Moehlman Rd. at Hunter’s Island. USD 383 will have school Tuesday with change to the bus schedule.
photo courtesy RCPD
Rescue stats from @ManhattanFD for people removed by boat, dumptruck or person: Redbud 60 people; Highland Ridge 16 people, Gardenway 50 plus 20 pets, Village/Whitetail 26 people and 4 pets.
The Corps of Engineers reports rainfall around 8.9 inches and around 3-4 inches in Riley. That water then came down Wildcat Creek.
Roads were blocked off and residents were notified at that time to evacuate if they lived in the areas near the flooded roadways.
There is an Emergency Evacuation Shelter set up at Pottorf Hall located at 1710 Avery. They ARE taking pets. If you would like to donate relief items please contact the Red Cross.
There are efforts underway to set up a second shelter. Right now there are around 300 people displaced. The number of homes affected is not known at this time. An assessment will be done later today to determine that number.
There are areas where the water is receding, however there are still some areas where the water levels are rising. Please do not go through high water areas, it is NOT safe.
If you need help, in case of an emergency, always call 911. If you need assistance, but it is not an emergency, please call our administrative line at (785) 537-2112. We encourage anyone who is stranded or in need of rescue to please call.
—————–
The Corps of Engineers reported rainfall around 8.9 inches and around 3-4 inches fell in Riley overnight. Riley County Emergency Management, the Manhattan Fire Department, Public Works and RCPD were notified around 4:30 AM that the water in Wildcat Creek was rapidly rising. More rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours and emergency services will continue to monitor the situation.
Roads were blocked off early this morning and residents were notified at that time to evacuate if they lived in the affected areas. It is estimated that 300 people have been affected by flooding at this point.
Areas currently flooded include: Garden Way, Highland Ridge, Red Bud, and Hunter’s Island. If you live near Wildcat Creek, take precaution as additional flooding will be possible if rain continues.
Rescue stats from Manhattan Fire Department for people removed by boat, dumptruck or person are as follows: Redbud 60 people; Highland Ridge 16 people, Gardenway 50 plus 20 pets, Village/Whitetail 26 people and 4 pets.
Riley County ATA bus has also been assisting with rescue efforts, transporting evacuees to shelter locations.
An emergency shelter has been set up in Pottorf Hall in CiCo Park, located at 1710 Avery Drive. Pets are being accepted at this time. To check on relatives in emergency shelters, please use the website https://safeandwell.communityos.org.
A second emergency shelter is being established at Bramlage Coliseum. Affected students should contact student life stulife@ksu.edu with concerns about housing or classes. An emergency displaced student help center has been set up in the Union today. Students who need transportation, housing, or help with personal items should call 785-395-7233.
Public Works crews are working from west to east to clear debris from roadways. KDOT will inspect closed bridges this afternoon to see if they are safe to be reopened.
The Keats area is also experiencing some flooding, so residents living in these areas should take precautions to protect themselves.
Volunteers and donations are not needed at this time. If you would like to donate relief items please contact the Red Cross directly.
WABAUNSEE COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Monday in Wabaunsee County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Buick passenger vehicle driven by Marilyn J. Lambert, 62, Eskridge, was northbound on Kansas 99 just north of the Kansas 31 interchange.
The driver blacked out. The Buick crossed the center line, entered the left ditch and hit a cement culvert.
Lambert and a passenger Ward, Benjamin M. Ward, 40, Salina, were transported to the hospital in Topeka. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Showers and chance of thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the upper 70s. south winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
The major rainfall over this past weekend led to leaky roofs at the Junction City High School Career Academy building and at the Freshman Success Academy.
