(MANHATTAN, KS – June 2, 2019) Residents who were advised to evacuate as a result of the Evacuation Advisory issued last week can return to their homes. Current conditions have allowed the Riley County Emergency Operations Center to lift the Evacuation Advisory and put back into place a High Water Advisory. Residents should examine their property upon return to identify if any damage occurred, particularly in basements. Please call 785-587-4526 if you find any damage. If you encounter any hazardous conditions call 911.
Residents staying at the American Red Cross shelter are in the process of returning home as the shelter begins the process of closing. The shelter will close at 10:00 a.m. on June 3, 2019. The American Red Cross will assist residents as they transition from the shelter back to their residence.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the current inflow into Tuttle Creek Lake is less than the present outflow, which remains at 30,000 cfs (Cubic Feet per Second) through the outlet works, commonly referred to as the tubes. The lake level is currently 1135.24 and decreasing.
“While we have made great strides, that doesn’t mean that our community is in the clear. Please, continue to stay informed,” said Pat Collins, Riley County Emergency Management Director. Emergency services will continue to monitor lake elevations and weather forecasts around the clock to ensure updated, accurate information is released to the public in a timely manner.
With the elevation decrease, and to best reserve resources, the Flood Information Hotline and the Emergency Operations Center will continue to be staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m through Sunday June 2. As the lake level changes, hotline staffing will be reevaluated and any changes will be posted. Up-to-date flood information can be found by visiting the Manhattan Flood Updates Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/manhattanfloodupdates/).