Local – Page 593

Golfball Size Hail Pelts Grandview Plaza for Short Time

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017

The Thursday evening storms brought golf ball size hail to an area about four miles southeast of Junction City and also to Grandview Plaza. In that city a spokesman Jerome Thomas confirmed the golfball size hail fell for about five minutes before reducing to pea size hail as a major storm cell moved through.

Thomas said after the hail downpours continued. “The damage I’ve seen from the hail it just peeled the leaves off of trees, looked like it might have dented some cars, no other structural damages.”

Heavy rain fell throughout the area along with other reports of pea size hail.

The Junction City High School track and softball teams were delayed a bit making it home from their competitions. Athletic Director Matt Westerhaus confirmed the softball team returning from a Class 6A Regional Tournament in Wichita had to pull into Lindsborg where they stayed at Smoky Valley High School for about one hour before returning home. There had been storm warnings issued for Saline and Dickinson Counties ahead of them so the team waited before coming on to Junction City.

The JCHS boys and girls track team completed competition in their Class 6A Regional meet in Lawrence just as the rain began to fall. On the way home on I-70 between Topeka and Junction City they pulled into a rest area for about one half hour because of stormy weather, but then returned home safe.

Flash Flood Warning

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for… Dickinson County in central Kansas… * Until 1100 PM CDT *

At 653 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to two inches of rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly. *

Some locations that will experience flooding include… Abilene, Chapman, Solomon, Enterprise, Woodbine, Manchester, Moonlight and Talmage.

Additional rainfall amounts of one to two inches are possible in the warned area. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 267 and 289.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you can do so safely.

UPDATE: Tornado Warning expired

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017

7:24pm

…THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL RILEY COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 730 PM CDT… The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A tornado watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northeastern Kansas.

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7:10PM:

…A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL RILEY COUNTY… At 710 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Ogden, moving northeast at 30 mph.

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The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Tornado Warning for… Northwestern Geary County in east central Kansas… Southwestern Riley County in northeastern Kansas… * Until 730 PM CDT *

At 657 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 5 miles east of Milford Lake, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD…Tornado.

SOURCE…Weather spotters reported funnel cloud. IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. *

This dangerous storm will be near… Ogden around 705 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
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…A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR NORTHEASTERN DICKINSON…NORTHWESTERN GEARY AND SOUTHWESTERN RILEY COUNTIES…

At 646 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 4 miles south of Milford Lake, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD…Tornado and golf ball size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.

This dangerous storm will be near… Junction City around 650 PM CDT. Grandview Plaza, Milford and Milford Lake around 655 PM CDT. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 289 and 294, and between mile markers 298 and 304.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
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The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Tornado Warning for… Northeastern Dickinson County in central Kansas… Northwestern Geary County in east central Kansas… Southwestern Riley County in northeastern Kansas… Southeastern Clay County in north central Kansas… * Until 700 PM CDT

* At 636 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 5 miles north of Chapman, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD…Damaging tornado and golf ball size hail.

SOURCE…Public confirmed tornado.

IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. *

The tornado will be near… Milford Lake around 650 PM CDT. Milford around 655 PM CDT. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 283 and 295, and between mile markers 297 and 304.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

UPDATE: Severe Thunderstorm Warning expired

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017

7:30pm:

Severe Thunderstorm warning has expired. A tornado watch remains in effect until 10:00 pm.

7:20 PM

…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN DICKINSON AND SOUTHEASTERN OTTAWA COUNTIES…

At 714 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Talmage, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include… Abilene, Solomon, Enterprise, Manchester, Niles, Moonlight and Talmage. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 267 and 283

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7:08PM–

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for… Northwestern Geary County in east central Kansas… Western Riley County in northeastern Kansas… West central Pottawatomie County in northeastern Kansas… * Until 730 PM CDT *

At 705 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Riley, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. *

Locations impacted include… Northern Manhattan, Riley, Milford, Leonardville, Olsburg, Randolph, Keats and Tuttle Creek Lake.

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The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for… Northeastern Dickinson County in central Kansas… Northern Geary County in east central Kansas… Southwestern Riley County in northeastern Kansas… Southeastern Clay County in north central Kansas… * Until 715 PM CDT

* At 629 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Chapman, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD…Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include… Southwestern Manhattan, Junction City, Ogden, Grandview Plaza, Chapman, Wakefield, Milford, Milford Lake and Moonlight. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 282 and 310.

UPDATE: Tornado Warning in Dickinson County expired

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017

UPDATE:

The tornado warning has expired.

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The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Tornado Warning for… Northwestern Dickinson County in central Kansas... Southeastern Ottawa County in north central Kansas… * Until 715 PM CDT *

At 626 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Salina, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD…Tornado and golf ball size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. *

Locations impacted include… Abilene, Solomon, Bennington, Manchester, Niles and Talmage. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 267 and 276.

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Dickinson County Emergency Management Director Chancey Smith confirmed that rotation was spotted in the town of Enterprise.

The storm traveling through the area has high precipitation and low visibility therefore the sirens were sounded as a precaution, according to Smith.

Dickinson and Geary Counties remain in a Tornado watch until 10:00 pm.

NWS issues Tornado Watch

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Tornado Watch that affects the following counties:

ANDERSON ATCHISON BROWN CLAY CLOUD COFFEY DICKINSON DONIPHAN DOUGLAS FRANKLIN GEARY JACKSON JEFFERSON JOHNSON LEAVENWORTH LINN LYON MARSHALL MIAMI MORRIS NEMAHA OSAGE OTTAWA POTTAWATOMIE REPUBLIC RILEY SHAWNEE WABAUNSEE WASHINGTON WYANDOTTE

This includes the cities of: Abilene, Alma, Alta Vista, Clay Center, Council Grove, Herington, Junction City, Manhattan, Wamego.

The tornado watch is in effect until 10:00 pm.

A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes.

Check back with JC Post throughout the evening for your most accurate and up to date severe weather coverage.

Three more candidates enter the race for City, School Board

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017

Geary County Clerk Rebecca Bossemeyer has informed JC Post that Michael D. Gray of 912 Kramer Ct and Jeff Underhill of 2014 Nottingham Dr have filed for election to the Junction City Commission.

Underhill, a native of Junction City and 2001 graduate of Junction City High School, is involved in many community efforts.

“I currently serve on the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC), as well as the Housing Authority Board and several other boards in Junction City,” said Underhill. “I thought that this was the natural next step for me to take in my community involvement and community leadership.”

Underhill said he wants to continue work on reducing the City’s debt, while also addressing issues that have been neglected in lieu of that debt.

For Gray, an Army veteran who retired after 26 years of service, and former president of the Junction City Arts Council said that he felt it was his “civic responsibility” to serve his community.

“If I live in a house and I want to fix it up [then I do], so if I live in a town and I want to try to fix it up – it only makes sense,” said Gray. “What I want to do is find ways to create a better image of what Junction City can give to people so that they can move here; we need to start circulating money from the region and getting more people interested and invested in working in the community.”

Sarah Talley, 528 W Chestnut, has filed for election to the Geary County USD 475 Board of Education.

Talley has a background in early childhood education, elementary education, special education and administration culminated from years of teaching in the District, being a Principal and also as the Human Resources Director for USD 475.

“Anyone that knows me knows that my passion is student learning, and I really want to keep the focus on how our students are performing – how we’re measuring that, what we’re looking at – how prepared they are for the next level,” said Talley. “I think we have very hard working teachers and very hardworking administrators and we need to make sure that all the efforts we put in everyday are really paying off for our students.”

Talley said her focus would be “looking at if we’re really making the most of what we have.”

The filing deadline for the City Commission and Board of Education is noon on June 1st.

After school events, including soccer banquet cancelled/postponed at JCHS

Posted on May 18, 2017

Junction City High School has announced that “Due to potential weather tonight all school events after school including the soccer banquet will be cancelled. Sorry for the inconvenience. It will be moved to Monday May 22nd at 6:00 at the FSA, same plan.”

Also, JCHS regional softball game 1 has been moved to a 2:30 pm start time today due to the risk of inclement weather.

Geary County in ‘Enhanced Risk’ area for Severe Weather

Posted on May 18, 2017

The National Weather Service in Topeka is predicting severe storms will move into the area around 4:00 pm this afternoon.

The storm is projected to travel northeast at 30 to 40 mph. The peak intensity of the storm is expected to be from 5:00 pm through midnight.

Severe hazards associated with this storm include: the possibility of strong tornadoes, hail greater than 2 inches in diameter, strong wind gusts (up to 80 mph possible), and the possibility for flash flooding.

Geary County is in what is concerned an enhanced risk area for severe activity; the bullseye of the storm will be centered around Wichita. The initial storm development will be around Salina in the 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm time frame and move into our area between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

There is a possibility for a second round of storms – thus extending the risk for severe weather through midnight.

Fort Riley soldiers, civilians releasing early due to severe weather threat

Posted on May 18, 2017

Fort Riley has announced that soldiers and civilians on post will be released early today, due to the threat of severe weather in the forecast.

The statement reads:

Due to forecast severe weather today throughout the Central Flint Hills region, Fort Riley Soldiers and Civilian employees are released early, at 3 p.m. Facilities and programs are also closing early to allow families to take appropriate precautions.

* ALL children in Child Development Centers and School-Age Care facilities must be picked up by 4 p.m. today. Riley CYS will pick up from on-post elementary schools. Parents should be prepared to pick up at the child’s School Age Center. The Youth Center will NOT open this afternoon.
* ALL Youth Sports, SKIES, and hourly care are also cancelled.
* ALL Fort Riley MWR facilities are closing early, at 3 p.m.
* Fort Riley American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces blood drive ends early.