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CONTACT:
Sharon Watson
Director, Public Affairs Office
Work: (785) 274-1192
Cell: (785) 806-4063
http://www.Kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      July 27, 2007

No. 07-141

DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS SHOW THOUSANDS OF HOMES DESTROYED BY MAY AND JUNE STORMS

Damage Assessments from the May 4 storms and the June flooding brought home the impact that these two events have left on Kansans.

May 4 To June 1 Storms

During the May 4 through June 1 period, severe storms and flooding destroyed more than 1,000 homes; 961 of those home were in Kiowa County alone. More than 320 homes sustained major damages and 2,215 received minor damage. Below is a breakdown of the damages by county:

County
Destroyed
Major
Minor
Affected
Barton
6
10
268
300
Clay
1
34
15
Cloud
1
Comanche
16
5
Dickinson
34
48
Edwards
11
4
17
Ellsworth
1
59
36
Leavenworth
1
18
Kiowa
961
105
67
11
Lyon
1
99
51
McPherson
3
22
32
Osborne
1
1
53
Phillips
9
Pottawatomie
2
8
1
Pratt
6
2
2
Reno
1
20
539
Rice
7
47
Riley
3
93
92
Saline
9
31
192
17
Shawnee
87
600
125
Smith
1
1
Stafford
9
37
24

FEMA has provided more than $6.8 million in Disaster Housing Assistance for this disaster and the Small Business Administration has approved more then $36.7 million in loans to repair 3,305 homes and 720 businesses.

June/July storms and flooding

The severe storms and floods of late June/early July destroyed more than 860 homes and caused major damage to 1,591 others. Below is a breakdown by county of the damages caused by these storms and flooding:

County
Destroyed
Major
Minor
Affected
Allen
25
89
104
Anderson
8
Bourbon
3
2
Butler
21
Chautauqua
1
2
2
1
Cherokee
3
1
1
7
Coffey
1
4
16
Cowley
5
154
1,055
Crawford
2
5
3
Edwards
5
4
40
Elk
20
50
Franklin
5
20
23
21
Greenwood
1
5
9
1
Harper
5
35
106
5
Labette
2
11
2
3
Linn
7
17
1
Miami
250
250
500
Montgomery
500
500
Neosho
20
100
Osage
2
5
10
Pawnee
1
8
Wilson
500
Woodson
2
3

For this disaster FEMA has approved more then $11 million in Disaster Housing Assistance. The Small Business Administration has approved more than $6 million in loans to repair 1,623 homes and 680 businesses affected by flooding.

Entomologists monitoring mosquitoes

Entomologists from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources are working with local government and responders in southeast Kansas to determine the impact of mosquitoes following the flooding that occurred.

Preliminary results of the assessment indicate a large number of nuisance mosquitoes, which is likely due to containers of water rather than large bodies of standing water. Because of this, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is reminding residents to empty out objects that may retain water from around homes and neighborhoods to help reduce breeding of mosquitoes.

KDHE recommends the following precautions to protect against mosquito-spread diseases:

  • Use effective insect repellent with picaridin or DEET on skin
  • Wear protective clothing when practical (long sleeves and pants)
  • Remove standing water
  • Use larvicide in water that cannot be removed, following manufacturer's instructions
  • Refresh water for bird baths, pet bowls, and wading pools at least every three days
  • Limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active

Water Update

The Fredonia water plant is now producing sufficient water. As a result, the City of Fredonia "Declaration of a Water Emergency" has been lifted, and emergency conservation measures are no longer mandated.

Until permanent repairs have been made to the Altoona water plant, Wilson County residents of the City of Altoona and Water District 10, are urged to continue to conserve water until permanent plant repairs are made. Conserving water includes limiting laundry to only essential use, preferably no more than two loads per week, (full loads only) brief showers, limited toilet flushing, no vehicle washing; no lawn, flower, or garden watering; no filling of swimming pools; no livestock watering. Residents are encouraged to try to reduce everyday water usage by at least 50% of their normal use during the water shortage.

Water Testing

Starting July 30, the Wilson County Health Department will offer testing of well water for possible bacterial contamination. There is a $15 charge for each test. To obtain test sample containers or for more information, please call the Wilson County Health Department at (620) 378-4455.

Volunteers needed in Montgomery County

Two volunteer Reception Centers have opened in Montgomery County. People wishing to volunteer should go to a Volunteer Reception Center to receive work assignments and safety tips. Please remember that homes affected by flooding are potentially dangerous work environments.

Anyone wishing to volunteer in the Coffeyville area should report to the Volunteer Reception Center in Coffeyville at the Veterans Memorial Stadium at 1610 Veterans Drive or call 620-251-0981.

Anyone wishing to volunteer in the Independence area should report to the Volunteer reception Center in Independence at 2700 Main Street, the site of the old Dillon's Center. Requests for assistance can also be made by calling 620-331-5115.

People wishing to make donations can call 620-331-5115.

To receive volunteer assistance, residents of Coffeyville should visit the Coffeyville Volunteer Reception Center or call 620-251-0981.

Residents of Independence should visit the Independence Volunteer Reception Center or call 620-331-5115.

All other residents of Montgomery County who need volunteer assistance in recovering from flood damage can go to either the Coffeyville or Independence Volunteer Reception Centers.

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