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   April 28, 2009

No. 09-034            

STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER ON PARTIAL ACTIVATION IN TOPEKA

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) has partially activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka to monitor flood activity and swine flu reports.

Until further notice, the SEOC will be staffed with staff from KDEM, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas National Guard from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.  Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department of Transportation are providing ongoing updates to the SEOC.  The Kansas National Guard’s Joint Operations Center will also be staffed during the same hours until further notice.

“We’ve experienced some heavy rains since the weekend that have resulted in flooding in some areas and lead to several road closures,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, adjutant general and director of KDEM. "This partial activation allows us to stay on top of the situation and make plans to pre-position our resources if it appears that the flooding is going to get worse.”

Harper, Butler and Sumner counties have issued a county disaster declaration due to flooding. The following roads are closed as of midday today:  K-7, K-31 and K-65 in Bourbon County, K-55 and US-81 in Sumner County.  Conditions change frequently regarding road closures, therefore, current information may be found at http://511.ksdot.org/ .

“We also want to keep an eye on the swine flu situation,” he continued. “There have been two cases confirmed in Kansas and we are working closely with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to determine any additional needs they or other state agencies and counties may have.”

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