We have a severe weather news update provided Monday night about 7:00pm from Montgomery County's Emergency Management Director, Rick Whitson.

 

Rick told us this morning (Tuesday, May 21st)  that the Verdigris River at Independence was at 35.25' early this morning about 7:00am and is projected to crest at 42.4'. He assures us that even at 42' it "isn't really a big deal". He said Coffeyville was at 15.2' this morning and projected to hit 24.9' which is a worse scenario for Coffeyville than for Independence at this point.

 

Rick also tells about the flash flooding. He was on the phone with the Independence City Emergency Manager, David Cowan (“cow-in”) and also has information from the Corps of Engineers about lakes and dams.

 

Rick said “it was 20 feet highter in the 2007 flood”, and that “38' feet should not affect anything except a few impassable roads”. And he knows it's a cliché everyone's heard a thousand times, but reminds everyone “turn around, don't drown, don't drive through water because you don't know what's under it”.

 

 

STREETS AFFECTED BY HIGH WATER

 

As of 9:20am - Streets in Montgomery County (south end):

 

- S. 10th St. or Road 3900 is closed south of Dearing

- S. Buckeye in Coffeyville is closed (south of 14th St.)

- CR 1300 north of CR 1600 after the curve

- CR 1600 east of CR 3900 at low water bridge

- CR 2000 between Hibbard adn Woodland

- CR 3900 south of Dearing

- Sunflower Rd. north of railroad tracks

- CR 3420 from 169 Hwy to Liberty city limits

 

As of 9:20am - Streets in Montgomery County (north end):

 

- 17th and Fruitland

- CR 5150 between 5400 and 5600

- CR 3300 between 6200 adn 6400

- CR 3900 and Grant St.

- CR 4600 between Peterpan Rd. and CR 3325

- Penn Ave. south of CR 4200

- CR 5100 north side of Drum Creek

- CR 4175 north of 160 Hwy.

 

In Labette County:

 

- The sheriff's office is reporting all major raods are open. However, there may be some issues on low lying secondary roads. 

 

In Chautauqua County:

 

- Low water bridges may be causing area motorists issues this morning.

- Hwy 160 between Hwys 99 and 75 are closed this morning.

 

 

SCHOOL CLOSINGS:

 

USD 282 West Elk - closed

USD 285 Cedar Vale - delayed 2 hours, starts at 10:00

USD 439 Sedgewick - closed

USD 444 Little River - delayed 2 hours, starts at 10:00 - no morning Pre-K and NO breakfast served

 

 

BUSINESS CLOSURES AND MEETINGS RESCHEDULED:

 

- Kansas Aviation Museum closed

- Caney City Council meeting is tonight at 6:00pm at Caney City Hall (rescheduled from last evening)