News from
The Adjutant General's Department

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    March 27, 2009

No. 09-016            

FIRST STORM-RELATED FATALITY REPORTED; KANSAS GUARD RESCUES STRANDED MOTORISTS

Significant snow fall and drifting has resulted in one weather-related death and led to numerous road closures. The first storm-related fatality was confirmed by Marion County law enforcement who report one person died in a weather-related traffic accident on a county road (120th and Indigo Road) earlier this afternoon.  Two other people were injured in the accident.

Multiple wrecks and slide offs have been reported throughout western and central Kansas.

State assistance provided

The Kansas National Guard was requested to assist Seward County in the city of Liberal with two Humvees to rescue stranded motorists this afternoon because law enforcement vehicles couldn’t reach some motorists due to the conditions. 

Four counties have declared local declarations of disaster: Marion, Butler, Harvey and Cowley.  This indicates resources may become limited and allows the county to take steps to request state resources, and to operate differently than normal circumstances require.

The State Emergency Operations Center was activated earlier today by Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) to ensure state resources would be available if needed by counties.

Agencies represented in the SEOC include KDEM, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas National Guard and American Red Cross.

Power outages reported

Power outages have been reported in Arkansas City, El Dorado, Salina and Wichita County. Westar and Kansas Rural Electric Cooperatives are monitoring the power situation closely and are in communication with the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka.

Road and emergency information

Kansas Department of Transportation has closed numerous roads throughout the day. A complete list of road closings may be found at http://511.ksdot.org or by calling 511.  If outside the state, call 1-866-511-5368 to get local road conditions.

Additional information regarding winter storm preparation is available at www.ready.gov and www.ksready.gov.

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