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| Osawatomie, Linn County keep eyes on rising waters |
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| News | |||
| Written by Doug Carder | |||
| Wednesday, 29 April 2009 20:26 | |||
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Lynnann Davis of Parker decided not to wait until the last minute to remove her belongings from a unit at Osawatomie Storage on Kelly Avenue Wednesday evening, with the soggy Pottawatomie Creek levee just yards away. “I lost some furniture and stuff in the last flood,” said Davis, who was using a garage on Ninth Street to store her possessions when the July 2007 flood swallowed blocks of Osawatomie. “I’ve got some things here that I don’t want to lose, like photo albums.” And the high chair she was handing to David Castleberry to load into a GMC Jimmy utility vehicle. “It’s the same high chair I sat in as a child.” Castleberry, who works for the city of Paola, said he had heard the region could get 6 to 8 inches of rain Wednesday evening. He was concerned about how much rain Ottawa would receive up river. “If they get 6 inches of rain tonight, I think we may be in some trouble,” he said. He wasn’t the only one worried about heavy rains in Ottawa causing more water to come rushing Osawatomie’s way, remembering all too well how a similar scenario played out in 2007. “If we get that 6 to 8 inches of rain over in Ottawa, that will really affect Miami County,” Miami County Sheriff Frank Kelly said. The city of Osawatomie is closely monitoring the level of the Marais des Cygnes River and Pottawatomie Creek, City Manager Bret Glendening said. “As of Wednesday morning, the water was receding. However, with the new rain beginning this afternoon, chances are they are going to go back up. We have five or six stationary pumps,” Glendening said. “The ones that can pump water are doing so. As soon as the others have water to pump, they will be pumping as well. We also have three mobile pumps, two fire trucks and one 6-inch trash pump that will be placed in areas of greatest need and activated as soon as they can be as well. We are also in the process of contacting the Army Corps of Engineers to make sure we can access some of their pumps as well, in the event they are needed,” he said. Glendening said sandbags had been filled in case they are needed, too. “We’ve taken delivery of additional sand, in the event it is needed. We’re running all stationary pumps, and two of the three portable pumps — the third portable pump will be engaged once the water in the ponding area gets close enough for the intake hose to reach it. All pumps will run as long as they are needed,” Glendening said. “All equipment is fueled up and ready to go in the event it is needed.” Linn County officials are making preparations to handle flooding as well as water coursed across Kansas Highway 152 east of La Cygne on Wednesday afternoon. Linn County Clerk David Lamb said a third ambulance from American Medical Response may be called into use if floodwaters continue to rise and cut off ambulance service to portions of the county. “We’re waiting to see if the water goes over 152 Highway west of La Cygne before we put an ambulance on the west side of the county,” Lamb said. Staff writer Kevin Gray contributed to this article.
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Comments (1)
Philip: ...
I have heard from many worried residents about rumors they have heard. #1 No, the damn didn't crack, break, or fail at Pomona Lake. #2 No, we didn't receive millions to spend on flood control and didn't use money to buy new trucks. (We did receive reimbursement for flood related expenses but this did not pay for all of the expenses incured in the flood of 07) #3 No, City Management and staff are keeping a close eye on river levels, etc. #4 No, You don't need to pack up and move to higher ground at this time. #5 The Army Corp of engineers doesn't release "all the water" during times that rivers are at or near flood stage. Finally, If you want to find out the truth feel free to contact City Hall or the Police Department as all current information is available with a simple phone call.
Mayor Philip Dudley 1
April 30, 2009
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