Shawnee County declared disaster area
12:01 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2007
Heavy rains fell Sunday and through Monday morning causing floods and forcing hundreds from their homes in Topeka and in Shawnee and Jefferson Counties.
Shawnee County declared a disaster area for the county this morning at a press conference at the Kansas Expocentre, where at least 100 people are seeking shelter. The Expocentre opened at about 5 a.m.
"We expect about 3,000 people citywide to be affected by the flooding," said Topeka Spokesman David Bevens.
Shelters
Shelters are being staffed by the American Red Cross opened at the Kansas Expocentre, 19th and Topeka, and at the Petro Allied Health Center at Washburn University, 19th and Washburn Ave. Those needing shelter can go to either location. People self-evacuating should take at least 48 hours worth of clothing, medicine and money. Pets are accepted at the Expocentre.
Important phone numbers
If you have concerns about flooded streets in Topeka call (785) 291-4993. If you want to find out about your loved ones, call (785) 291-5543. If you want to help out, call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Authorities say they have rescued 490 people around Topeka.
The affected areas include the Shunganunga basin between Lake Sherwood southwest of Topeka to Topeka Boulevard. Shunga left its banks at about 2 a.m. The water was receeding as of 11 a.m., Bevens said.
Soldier Creek left its banks at about 6:30 a.m.
"It's dropped about 3 feet," he said.
The National Weather Service reports 11 inches of rain fell in a 48-hour period in Auburn, southwest of Topeka.
The city is now moving from a rescue operation to a recovery mission. Bevens said the evacuation process was going smoothly.
"All the agencies seem to be working very well together," he said.
View flooding video here.
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