Additional releases from local reservoirs do not seem to have compounded flooding situations which developed forcing some evacuations from local communities Friday.
Despite concerns of additional flooding due to the announcement, early Saturday John Redmond Reservoir would be increasing their discharge from 29,000 to between 31,000 and 35,000 cubic feet per second, the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office is reporting there have been no additional incidents due to the substantial water in the area. The same reports are coming out of Greenwood County which saw an early morning water rescue of two individuals Saturday and evacuation near the Fall River Reservoir Friday evening.
Greenwood County dispatch reports Fall River is now unflooded with water receding from most homes in the area. Despite this, authorities are still urging residents to avoid the area as there is a possibility of more rainfall in the coming days that could see the flooding issue compounded.
Despite what appears to be some stability in those areas, the US Army Corps of Engineers has announced the Melvern Lake Outlet Park will be closing at 10 pm Saturday. This is being done to prevent “elevated risk to life and safety” as the lake level is currently within 3 feet of the uncontrolled spillway.
Current projections are indicating the lake will rise to elevation 1,055 feet by Sunday. According to the Army Corps of Engineers when the lake reaches 1,057 feet, water begins flowing uncontrollably through the spillway which would lead to direct, immediate impacts at Outlet Park.
Heavy rainfall not only impacted Greenwood and Coffey Counties, but the majority of the KVOE listening area Friday evening. Rain totals include:
*KVOE Studios – 1.3 inches
*Near Emporia High School – 1 inch
*Southern Emporia – 1.37 inches
*Southeastern Emporia – 2.6 inches
*Bushong – 1.2 inches
*Cedar Point – 5.25 inches
*Cottonwood Falls – 3.6 inches
*Hartford – 3.5 inches
*Madison – 2.5 inches
*Melvern – 1.25 inches
*Neosho Rapids – 2.75 inches
*Olpe – 3.25 inches
*West of Americus – 2.2 inches
*John Redmond Reservoir – 3.1 inches
*5 miles east of Madison – 5 inches
Road closures and other county-by-county information:
Lyon County
*Kansas Highway 99 remains closed until further notice from Emporia’s south city limits to Road 130. Access to Old Highway 99 bridge and All Veterans Memorial is now closed until K-99 reopens, and Commercial Street is closed to thru traffic from Logan Avenue to Soden’s Grove until further notice. The David Traylor Zoo remains open. The Emporia Police Department wishes to remind individuals the only vehicles allowed to go past the barricades are residents who live in the area.
EPD also reminds individuals it is illegal to drive or walk around a barricade in place and will result in a citation for the offense. For those wishing to visit the David Traylor Zoo the entrance is accessible at Logan Ave. and South Exchange.
*2100-2200 blocks Rd 40
*170 between Y & Z
*Road 250 between Roads D & F
*Road H between Roads 130 & 140
*300 block X
*300-500 blocks Y
Lyon County Deputy Danny Broyles says most of the flash flooding from Friday night has subsided.
Chase County
*Numerous county roads closed. Dispatch says many roads that are impassable are not barricaded with the county running out of blockages.
Coffey County
*K58 2 miles east of US-75
Osage County
The KVOE listening area saw several tornado warnings throughout the early afternoon and evening Friday. Thankfully there were no confirmed touchdowns in the listening area.
Close to 20 different outage points were reported in Emporia with nearly 300 Westar customers impacted.
Most river gauges remain in flood through the KVOE listening area.
The Cottonwood is in flood from Emporia west to Plymouth.
*At Emporia the river is at 25.28 feet above flood stage of 20 feet. The river may not drop below flood stage until Tuesday afternoon.
*At Plymouth, the river is currently at 33 feet, flood stage is 32 feet. The river may drop below flood stage by Monday afternoon.
The Neosho is also in flood from Emporia southeast to LeRoy.
*In Emporia the river has risen to just over the 19-foot flood stage and is currently sitting at 19.5 feet.
*At Neosho Rapids, the river is at 25.94 feet above flood stage of 22 feet. Current projections have the river cresting at 27.1 feet by early Sunday. The river may drop below flood stage by Monday evening.
*At Burlington, the river is at 32.52 feet above the flood stage of 27.
*At LeRoy, the river was last observed at 29.2 ft above flood stage of 23 feet. The river may drop to 28.8 feet before holding steady right around 27 feet throughout the majority of this upcoming week.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for updates. Join KVOE’s social media accounts on Twitter@kvoeam1400 or Facebook@kvoenews for instant weather and travel alerts if you have not already done so. Also, make sure to download the free KVOE mobile app so you have our severe weather coverage wherever you may be.
2:30 pm Satruday: MIDDAY UPDATE: John Redmond Reservoir to increase releases yet again additional flooding to be expected
Additional flooding could be coming in parts of the KVOE listening area due to increased releases from John Redmond Reservoir
Coffey County Emergency Management has announced John Redmond Reservoir is planning to increase discharge to between approximately 31,000 and 35,000 cubic feet per second Saturday afternoon. This follows recent increases throughout the week with the reservoir holding at 29,000 cfs Saturday morning.
Coffey County Emergency Management tells residents to expect additional flooding with the increase. This follows heavy rainfall which impacted the KVOE listening area from early afternoon through the evening hours Friday.
The rain came down in sheets as a line of storms trained on the same ground for several hours.
*KVOE Studios – 1.3 inches
*Near Emporia High School – 1 inch
*Southern Emporia – 1.37 inches
*Southeastern Emporia – 2.6 inches
*Bushong – 1.2 inches
*Cedar Point – 5.25 inches
*Cottonwood Falls – 3.6 inches
*Hartford – 3.5 inches
*Madison – 2.5 inches
*Melvern – 1.25 inches
*Neosho Rapids – 2.75 inches
*Olpe – 3.25 inches
*West of Americus – 2.2 inches
*John Redmond Reservoir – 3.1 inches
*5 miles east of Madison – 5 inches
Road closures and other county-by-county information:
Lyon County
*Kansas Highway 99 remains closed until further notice from Emporia’s south city limits to Road 130. Access to Old Highway 99 bridge and All Veterans Memorial is now closed until K-99 reopens, and Commercial Street is closed to thru traffic from Logan Avenue to Soden’s Grove until further notice. The David Traylor Zoo remains open. The Emporia Police Department wishes to remind individuals the only vehicles allowed to go past the barricades are residents who live in the area.
EPD also reminds individuals it is illegal to drive or walk around a barricade in place and will result in a citation for the offense. For those wishing to visit the David Traylor Zoo the entrance is accessible at Logan Ave. and South Exchange.
*2100-2200 blocks Rd 40
*170 between Y & Z
*Road 250 between Roads D & F
*Road H between Roads 130 & 140
*300 block X
*300-500 blocks Y
Lyon County Deputy Danny Broyles says most of the flash flooding from Friday night has subsided.
Chase County
*Numerous county roads closed. Dispatch says many roads that are impassable are not barricaded with the county running out of blockages.
Coffey County
*K58 2 miles east of US-75
*Severe flooding was reported Friday at Country Club Heights in Burlington, forcing a short-term evacuation. Several pets and nearly 20 people were evacuated from the area and taken to a Red Cross shelter at Burlington’s First Baptist Church. The evacuation effort is now over.
Coffey County Emergency Management Director Russel Stukey.
Stukey adds flood issues could be exacerbated by continued release increases at John Redmond Reservoir and the potential for further rainfall in the coming days. Stukey also says residents who believe they may need shelter should contact the Coffey County Sheriff’s office at 620-364-2123. Residents may also receive updates by texting JRR2019 to 888-777.
Greenwood County
*Two people were rescued from floodwaters near the intersection of AA-50 and 147th. The National Guard helped local authorities with that effort, which developed shortly before 4 am Saturday.
*Authorities spent much of Friday night and early Saturday evacuating residents near the Fall River Reservoir. One resident refused to leave, but overall Greenwood County authorities say the effort was successful. County leadership is coordinating with the US Army Corps of Engineers and Kansas Division of Emergency Management on flood response. Fall River Reservoir is now releasing around 36,000 cubic feet of water per second — believe to be an all-time high out of the lake.
Greenwood County Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson says the majority of Saturday will be spent by Road and Bridge crews surveying all impacted roadways to assess the extent of work which will be needed to fully repair all damage caused by the unprecedented amount of rainfall from Friday.
Vinson anticipates the full scope of work could take a number of weeks to be fully completed.
The KVOE listening area saw several tornado warnings throughout the early afternoon and evening Friday. Thankfully there were no confirmed touchdowns in the listening area.
Close to 20 different outage points were reported in Emporia with nearly 300 Westar customers impacted.
Most river gauges remain in flood through the KVOE listening area.
The Cottonwood is in flood from Emporia west to Plymouth.
*At Emporia the river is at 24.99 feet above flood stage of 20 feet. The river may rise to 25.4 by Saturday evening. The river may not drop below flood stage until Tuesday afternoon.
*At Plymouth, the river is currently at 33.62 feet, flood stage is 32 feet. The river could crest at 34.2 feet later this afternoon before possibly dropping below flood stage by Monday.
The Neosho is also in flood from Neosho Rapids southeast to LeRoy.
*At Neosho Rapids, the river is at 25.78 feet above flood stage of 22 feet. Current projections have the river cresting at 27.1 feet by early Sunday. The river may drop below flood stage by Monday evening.
*At Burlington, the river is at 31.31 feet above the flood stage of 27 but below a crest of 31.93 from Saturday evening. The river is dropping and may hold steady at 31.1 feet for several days.
*At LeRoy, the river was last observed at 28.85 ft above flood stage of 23 feet. The river may drop to 28.8 feet before holding steady right around 27 feet throughout the majority of this upcoming week.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for updates. Join KVOE’s social media accounts on Twitter@kvoeam1400 or Facebook@kvoenews for instant weather and travel alerts if you have not already done so. Also, make sure to download the free KVOE mobile app so you have our severe weather coverage wherever you may be.
7 am Saturday: MORNING UPDATE: Road closures begin to trickle in following heavy rainfall Friday; overnight evacuations finished in Burlington, Fall River
Heavy rain returned to the KVOE listening area Friday following a two-day break.
The rain came down in sheets as a line of storms trained on the same ground for several hours.
*KVOE Studios – 1.3 inches
*Near Emporia High School – 1 inch
*Southern Emporia – 1.37 inches
*Southeastern Emporia – 2.6 inches
*Bushong – 1.2 inches
*Cedar Point – 5.25 inches
*Cottonwood Falls – 3.6 inches
*Hartford – 3.5 inches
*Madison – 2.5 inches
*Melvern – 1.25 inches
*Neosho Rapids – 2.75 inches
*Olpe – 3.25 inches
*West of Americus – 2.2 inches
*John Redmond Reservoir – 3.1 inches
*5 miles east of Madison – 5 inches
Road closures and other county-by-county information:
Lyon County
*Kansas Highway 99 from Soden’s Grove to Road 130
*2100-2200 blocks Rd 40
*170 between Y & Z
*Road 250 between Roads D & F
*Road H between Roads 130 & 140
*300 block X
*300-500 blocks Y
Lyon County Deputy Danny Broyles says most of the flash flooding from Friday night has subsided.
Chase County
*Numerous county roads closed. Dispatch says many roads that are impassable are not barricaded with the county running out of blockages.
Coffey County
*K58 2 miles east of US-75
*Severe flooding was reported Friday at Country Club Heights in Burlington, forcing a short-term evacuation. Several pets and nearly 20 people were evacuated from the area and taken to a Red Cross shelter at Burlington’s First Baptist Church. The evacuation effort is now over.
Coffey County Emergency Management Director Russel Stukey.
Stukey adds flood issues could be exacerbated by continued release increases at John Redmond Reservoir and the potential for further rainfall in the coming days. Stukey also says residents who believe they may need shelter should contact the Coffey County Sheriff’s office at 620-364-2123. Residents may also receive updates by texting JRR2019 to 888-777.
Greenwood County
*Two people were rescued from floodwaters near the intersection of AA-50 and 147th. The National Guard helped local authorities with that effort, which developed shortly before 4 am Saturday.
*Authorities spent much of Friday night and early Saturday evacuating residents near the Fall River Reservoir. One resident refused to leave, but overall Greenwood County authorities say the effort was successful. County leadership is coordinating with the US Army Corps of Engineers and Kansas Division of Emergency Management on flood response. Fall River Reservoir is now releasing around 36,000 cubic feet of water per second — believe to be an all-time high out of the lake.
Greenwood County Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson says the majority of Saturday will be spent by Road and Bridge crews surveying all impacted roadways to assess the extent of work which will be needed to fully repair all damage caused by the unprecedented amount of rainfall from Friday.
Vinson anticipates the full scope of work could take a number of weeks to be fully completed.
The KVOE listening area saw several tornado warnings throughout the early afternoon and evening Friday. Thankfully there were no confirmed touchdowns in the listening area.
Close to 20 different outage points were reported in Emporia with nearly 300 Westar customers impacted.
Most river gauges remain in flood through the KVOE listening area.
The Cottonwood is in flood from Emporia west to Plymouth.
*At Emporia the river is at 24.99 feet above flood stage of 20 feet. The river may rise to 25.4 by Saturday evening. The river may not drop below flood stage until Tuesday afternoon.
*At Plymouth, the river is currently at 33.62 feet, flood stage is 32 feet. The river could crest at 34.2 feet later this afternoon before possibly dropping below flood stage by Monday.
The Neosho is also in flood from Neosho Rapids southeast to LeRoy.
*At Neosho Rapids, the river is at 25.78 feet above flood stage of 22 feet. Current projections have the river cresting at 27.1 feet by early Sunday. The river may drop below flood stage by Monday evening.
*At Burlington, the river is at 31.31 feet above the flood stage of 27 but below a crest of 31.93 from Saturday evening. The river is dropping and may hold steady at 31.1 feet for several days.
*At LeRoy, the river was last observed at 28.85 ft above flood stage of 23 feet. The river may drop to 28.8 feet before holding steady right around 27 feet throughout the majority of this upcoming week.
As the third round of flooding this month continues, the situation at Emporia’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is improving in at least one way. Assistant City Manager Lane Massey:
One filter was damaged earlier this month. Another was taken offline as a precautionary measure, but city leaders have been told it can be used.
Unfortunately, the facility is now dealing with water coming in at four to seven times the normal flow rate and double the facility’s capacity. Massey tells KVOE News the plant typically handles between 3 million and 5 million gallons of water a day, and it can handle up to 12 million gallons at its peak. The current flow is around 20 million, and it has been as high as 22 million gallons this month. This means a lot of water is bypassing the treatment process. Massey says there could be some raw sewage going into the Cottonwood River, but the vast majority of the bypass water is simply untreated floodwater.
Massey says no issues have been reported downstream, but he expects some sort of widespread boil water advisory could be issued later by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment because of the extensive flooding across Kansas this month.
The damaged ultraviolet filters were almost brand-new as the city concludes an extended facility upgrade to meet recent federal mandates on nutrient levels. Massey says it may be several months before the damaged equipment can be totally replaced.
After increasing water releases at John Redmond Reservoir at times Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers is now holding the release at 29,200 cubic feet per second, Flood-prone areas in Burlington and LeRoy in Coffey County are impassable in several areas, so evacuations are voluntary but now strongly encouraged. Sandbags and sand are available for Coffey County residents at the northwest corner of the Burlington High School parking lot. The Red Cross still has its shelter at the Allen County Community College Red Barn in Iola for residents needing a place to stay. Coffey County residents who evacuate are told to call the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office at 620-364-2123 so authorities can account for those who have evacuated and those who have not.
Releases continue as well from Council Grove and Marion reservoirs, although not nearly to those levels. The release from Council Grove Reservoir is less than 900 cfs. The release at Marion Reservoir is almost 1,700 cfs.
All this water is having an impact on state lakes. The Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism says all campgrounds and day-use facilities at Fall River State Park are closed until further notice. Melvern Lake, meanwhile, has numerous closures at the Arrow Rock site through June 30. There are also a host of closures at the Coeur d’Alene site through June 30 and at Turkey Point, with some closures possibly opening by May 30 and others not likely to reopen until June 30. People can go online to www.kshuntfishcamp.com to check on campsite and cabin availability.
Looking ahead to Saturday, National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Gargan says storms are likely — but they will be more isolated than Friday’s activity and the main area of heavy rain is to our north.
High wind is the main concern along with heavy rain.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for updates. Join KVOE’s social media accounts on Twitter@kvoeam1400 or Facebook@kvoenews for instant weather and travel alerts if you have not already done so. Also, make sure to download the free KVOE mobile app so you have our severe weather coverage wherever you may be.
If you have rain or storm reports, call KVOE at 342-1400 or message KVOE on Facebook@kvoenews.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
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