FLOOD UPDATE FOR RILEY AND POTTAWATOMIE COUNTIES MAY 26, 2019
(RILEY AND POTTAWATOMIE COUNTIES, KS – May 26, 2019) Tuttle Creek Lake is expected to reach an elevation of 1132.96 feet by Monday May 27, 2019. No Evacuation Advisories have been issued for any parts of Riley County or Pottawatomie County as of this news release. Residents are advised to remain alert and make preparations in case evacuation becomes necessary. If the lake level is forecast to reach 1136 feet, the US Army Corps of Engineers will begin surcharge operations and use the outlet works (the tubes) in an effort to keep Tuttle Creek Lake below that elevation.
On Saturday, May 25 the USACE advised all campers and visitors to leave the Rocky Ford and Riverpond areas of Tuttle Creek State Park below the dam. The sites will be closed effective Sunday, May 26 at 8 p.m.
The Kansas Highway Patrol will close all vehicle access on eastbound Kansas Highway 13 (at the start of road across the dam) at 7 a.m. on Monday, May 27. Access to Tuttle Cove Road and Riley County Fire Station 12 off Highway 13 will remain open. There have been many safety concerns from the Kansas Highway Patrol due to large amounts of vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
The Riley County Health Department is providing a Special Medical Needs Form intended for individuals or their loved ones whose health condition would necessitate additional resources should an evacuation become necessary or should their homes lose power or be damaged by water. The form can be accessed online at https://www.rileycountyks.gov/FormCenter/Flood-Forms-14/Flood-Evacuation-Special-Medical-Needs-F-187. The Riley County Health Department can also be reached at (785) 776-4779. Please be as detailed as possible when completing the form. Once received, Emergency Services from Riley County and the City of Manhattan will store the information provided to be used to allocate resources as efficiently and effectively as possible.
American Red Cross is establishing shelter locations and resources in the event residents are evacuated. No evacuation advisories or orders have been issued and no shelter locations have been opened.
Riley and Pottawatomie Counties have ordered additional inventory of tetanus booster (TDAP) shots for emergency responders, clean-up crews, and others exposed to flood waters or debris from clean-up efforts. Riley County Health Department will be administering TDAP vaccine during the Northview Block Party on June 1, 2019, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Northview Park (510 Griffith Drive).
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch in effect through Monday morning, May 27. Scattered to numerous strong thunderstorms are expected late this evening and through tonight. These storms may produce very heavy rainfall and flash flooding, especially near Wildcat Creek. Monitor forecasts and be prepared to take action if Flash Flood Warnings are issued.
If a release from the spillway gates becomes necessary, residents downstream will be notified as soon as information is available.
Sign up for Emergency Alerts to receive direct notification of flooding and severe weather.
- Riley County Emergency Alerts https://www.rileycountyks.gov/alerts (785) 537-6333
- Pottawatomie County Emergency Alerts https://www.pottcounty.org/eAlerts (785) 457-3358
- A floodplain map is available at www.cityofmhk.com/floodmap. Residents living in areas highlighted in red and yellow should begin making preparations now.
If evacuation becomes necessary, residents will be notified to leave the area and seek shelter out of the floodplain. Announcements will be made on the Riley and Pottawatomie County Emergency Alert Systems including Everbridge, Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA or IPAWS) to every cell phone in the impacted areas, voice sirens in the areas will be activated, local media will be broadcasting the notice, and emergency personnel will go door to door notifying residents of the need to evacuate.
Notification types and meanings:
Residents of projected flood affected areas may receive one or all of the following depending which of the respective evacuation zones they live in:
- High Water Advisory– An advisory that notifies residents or property owners that their property may receive high water or their access to their property may be impacted.
- Evacuation Advisory– An advisory to notify residents or property owners that their property may be flooded or their access to the property may be impacted, evacuation is recommended, and that they may be ordered to evacuate in the near future.
- Evacuation Order– A notification of “Imminent Danger” to notify residents or property owners that their property may be flooded or their access to the property may be severely impacted. This order to evacuate is considered as mandatory for non-residents as a curfew is important for security of the affected areas.
Other steps residents should take include:
- Making an emergency kit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html
- Creating a household evacuation plan that includes pets https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html
- Connecting with neighbors to make plans and share information
Information is also available on the City of Manhattan website at www.cityofmhk.com/flood. Updates will be shared on Facebook ManhattanFloodUpdates and on Twitter @updatesflood as well. News releases will be published daily or as additional information becomes available.