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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 12, 2008 No. 08-055 SEARCH AND RESCUE COMPLETED IN CHAPMAN; DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS CONTINUE Search and rescue has been completed after a deadly tornado hit the town
of Chapman, population of 1,300, on Wednesday night about 10:20 p.m. A
woman was killed by the twister estimated to be a half mile wide. Some
residents left the town overnight to go to shelters in Abilene or Salina,
while others stayed behind in their homes that had not sustained significant
damage. This morning residents who had left town were allowed to return
to the area to begin sorting through the damage. Local officials caution residents to be careful as the area is still
dangerous with power lines and trees down and debris strewn throughout
the area. Only residents of the area and emergency responders are allowed
in the area. Approximately 69 homes in Chapman were destroyed with approximately 215
receiving minor to major damage. All of the schools in Chapman were destroyed
along with three churches. Insurance adjusters/claims agents will be in Chapman tomorrow morning,
June 13, at 7 a.m. to assist their clients. State Support to Chapman The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka activated Wednesday evening
and began sending resources to Chapman including an incident management
team with expertise in disaster response. The Kansas National Guard was
deployed to assist with security and supply a generator to run the water
supply to ensure firefighters have water. Approximately 20 National Guard
members are in Chapman to support the security needs with roaming patrols.
Gas and power have been shut off in the town as a precaution to prevent
incidents. Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) assisted local crews
with removal of downed trees and power lines from streets. The KDOT’s
Communications on Wheels is operational in Chapman to support emergency
communications needs and serve as the incident command communication system.
The Kansas Highway Patrol’s mobile command has also arrived in Chapman.
Riley County - Manhattan - Kansas State University In Riley County, the city of Manhattan sustained extensive tornado damages
along with Kansas State University. Kansas State University houses a 10
watt research reactor in one building at the facility. The roof and walls
of the building sustained damaged, however, the reactor was not harmed.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been at Kansas State University
since early this morning following all safety procedures and the reactor
is completely secure. There are no hazards relative to the reactor. The tornado stretched from the southwest side of Manhattan, near the
Manhattan Airport, and continued northeast through the center of town.
Trees and power lines are down. Some neighborhoods were hit particularly
hard. Thirteen soldiers have been deployed to Manhattan to provide security
support. In Manhattan there were three businesses destroyed; 10 with major damage
and 20 with minor damage. Two mobile homes were destroyed with another
mobile home receiving major damage. There were 45 single family homes
destroyed; 67 single family homes received major damage and 75 single
family homes received minor damage. Jackson County site of second fatality The storm system’s second fatality was confirmed early this morning
outside the town of Soldier in Jackson County. The victim was outside
of his mobile home. The tornado path traveled from 254 & C Road to
Hwy 16 and angled north to 286 & I Road. At least four homes were destroyed according to the American Red Cross. Homes were heavily damaged east of Soldier along 270th Road. A shelter was established at the fire department in Soldier. Many trees
and power lines are down across roads. The tornado path traveled from
254 & C Road to Hwy 16 and angled north to 286 & I Road. Saline County The Saline County Emergency Manager is reporting damage to at least two
structures with many downed power lines and downed trees and many power
outages. Structures damaged in Saline County include Phillips Lighting
plant, a hotel, the Crestwood Cabinet plant, and a retirement home. No
injuries are reported at this time. Six homes were destroyed with approximately five homes receiving major
damage. Boil Advisory for Chapman The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil
water advisory for the City of Chapman. The city’s water system suffered
storm damage Wednesday night, resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.
Whenever such a loss of pressure occurs, it is possible for contaminants
to enter the system. Also, chlorine residuals may drop to levels that
are inadequate to protect against bacterial contamination. Once water service is restored, customers should observe the following
precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute prior to drinking
or food preparation, or use bottled water; Dispose of ice cubes and do
not use ice from a household automatic icemaker; Disinfect dishes and
other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean
tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per
gallon of water; If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines
by letting the water run until it clears. The advisory will remain in effect until testing of water samples indicates
no evidence of contamination and all other conditions which place the
systems at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.
The city and/or KDHE will notify media when the boil water advisory has
been rescinded. Stream Advisory for Dickinson and Geary Counties KDHE has also issued a stream advisory for the Smoky Hill River in Dickinson
and Geary Counties. This stream advisory applies the Smoky Hill River
from Chapman and continues downstream to the confluence of the Smoky Hill
River with the Republican River at Junction City. The wastewater treatment plant is not functioning as a result of tornado
damage to the electrical system. Raw sewage will continue to flow into
the Smoky Hill River until power is restored to the wastewater plant. KDHE anticipates elevated levels of pathogens in this area of the Smoky
Hill River as a result of the release. The stream advisory is in effect
until Tuesday, June 17. KDHE will evaluate the need to further extend
the advisory at that point in time. Shelters The American Red Cross has set up a shelter located on the Abilene Fairgrounds
in Sterl Hall located at the intersection of NW Eighth St. and N. Rogers.
It housed 35 people Wednesday night, and more are expected in the following
nights as many families are without power. The Red Cross is currently assessing the damage caused by the storm to
determine how many volunteers and supplies will be needed for the relief
operation. Dillons and the Kansas Food Bank have already stepped up to
help and have donated pallets of water and snacks for the affected areas
which are being delivered today. If you are a victim and need assistance call the North Central Kansas
Chapter at 1-866-723-3892. Those who have loved ones in the affected areas should continue to try
to contact their family and friends via telephone. However, the North
Central Kansas Chapter of the Red Cross has a phone number, 1-866-723-3892
if you still cannot reach those who may be affected or call the Dickinson
County Communications Center at 1-888-800-0417. Also, you can check for
loved ones at www.redcross.org and click on Safe and Well. Disaster victims
can register themselves as “Safe and Well” through the Red Cross
can do so at the Abilene City Library, 209 NW 4th street. Anyone interested in helping tornado victims but who are not Red Cross
trained should contact the Volunteer Center in Salina at 785-823-3128. Assistance to Military Families Military families are that are affected by the storms last night can
contact the National Guard Family Program Office and Servicemember and
Family Assistance Centers that are located across the state. These centers
are open for any military member in any branch of service for all types
of assistance because of storm issues, financial, lodging, etc. The number
to contact with any assistance is 1-800-432-2774. The Department of Veterans Affairs will be available tomorrow, June 13
at the Red Cross Center in Abilene to provide assistance to veterans.
For veterans in need of need medical care call 1-877-222-8387. For veterans
in need of need medications or services call 1-800-827-1000. For veterans
needing general assistance please call 1-800-827-1000. Veterans should
identify where they are and the disaster. Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) is
offering replacement of food purchased with food stamp benefits. The Manhattan SRS Service Center will be closed temporarily due to damage
sustained in the storm. SRS staff will be located at the Manhattan Workforce
Center and the Red Cross shelters in Manhattan, Chapman and Abilene to
assist individuals seeking assistance. Staff will remain at the shelters
through the weekend or for as long as needed. Individuals can receive more information and apply for replacement food stamp benefits at any SRS service center. For more information call toll-free 1-888-369-4777. -30- |
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