| WEATHER ALERT -- May 25, 2019 – 11:15 AM |
The National Weather Service has notified the Montgomery County Emergency Management that record levels of water are being released upstream from Fall River, Toronto and possibly Elk City Reservoirs will potentially impact Independence.
With an abundance of caution, citizens are encouraged to prepare by storing water in case this event affects the Independence water treatment plant which would occur at 49’ at the USGS Verdigris Bridge gauge. Currently, the water treatment plant is fully operational.
Citizens should be weather aware, avoid driving in high water and be prepared to evacuate flood-prone areas as needed. If evacuation is needed, Memorial Hall will be available as a shelter.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for Independence, Kansas. Currently, the Verdigris is predicted to rise to near 44.2’ at the USGS Verdigris River Gauge by Monday morning. However, this is an ongoing situation that could change rapidly between Saturday and Tuesday depending on levels of additional rain throughout the Midwest with a potential of reaching a level of 49’ at the USGS Verdigris River gauge.
A river height of 44.2’ Verdigris River Bridge gauge will cause flooding of the following locations in Independence:
- North Park Blvd between Cottonwood and Parkhurst (including the baseball field complex)
- South Pennsylvania Ave between Cedar and the South City limits
- South 8th, 9th and 10th Street between Birch and the South City Limits
- Cement Street between Coffeyville Avenue and the South City Limits
- South 1st, 2nd, Park Blvd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th near the South City Limits
- North Penn Avenue between Sycamore and Parkhurst
- East Sycamore Street between 5th Street and Park Blvd
Due to the rising Verdigris river, the City of Independence has closed the Pine Street access to the City Dam.
For a list of emergency supplies to gather and other information visit this page: http://www.independenceks.gov/342/Emergency-Management
The City of Independence will continue to monitor the situation closely and will update as conditions change. Citizens can monitor the City webpage and Facebook page for updates and in the event flooding occurs the City will use our Civic Ready Alert system. You can sign up for Civic Ready Alerts at this link: https://independence-ks-area.regroup.com/signup
David Cowan, Emergency Preparedness Director
DavidC@IndependenceKs.gov
620-332-2528