MANHATTAN — Tuttle Creek Lake is expected to reach an elevation of 1,132.96 feet by Monday.
At this point, no evacuation advisories have been issued for any parts of Riley County of Pottawatomie County, aside from Saturday’s notice that went out to the Rocky Ford Campground and visitors to Tuttle Creek State Park. Still, residents are advised to remain alert and make preparations in case evacuation becomes necessary. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, if the lake level is forecast to reach 1,136 feet, the Corps will begin surcharge operations and use the outlet works (the tubes) in an effort to keep Tuttle Creek Lake below that elevation.
Officials have now closed the Rocky Ford and Riverpond areas below the dam. The Kansas Highway Patrol will close all vehicle access on eastbound Kansas Highway 13 (the road across the dam) at 7 a.m. Monday. Access to Tuttle Cove Road and Riley County Fire Station 12 off Highway 13 will remain open. There have been many safety concerns from KHP due to increases vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Special Needs Forms intended for individuals or their loved ones whose health condition would necessitate additional resources should an evacuation become necessary or if they lost power, are being provided by the Riley County Health Department website .The Riley County Health Department can also be reached at (785) 776-4779.
American Red Cross is establishing shelter locations and resources in the event residents are evacuated. No evacuation advisories or orders have been issued and no shelter locations have been opened.
Riley and Pottawatomie Counties have ordered additional inventory of tetanus booster (TDAP) shots for emergency responders, clean-up crews, and others exposed to flood waters or debris from clean-up efforts. Riley County Health Department will be administering TDAP vaccine during the Northview Block Party on June 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Northview Park (510 Griffith Drive).
If a release from the spillway gates becomes necessary, residents downstream will be notified as soon as information is available.
Sign up for Emergency Alerts to receive direct notification of flooding and severe weather.
• Riley County Emergency Alerts https://www.rileycountyks.gov/alerts (785) 537-6333
• Pottawatomie County Emergency Alerts https://www.pottcounty.org/eAlerts (785) 457-3358
• A floodplain map is available at www.cityofmhk.com/floodmap. Residents living in areas highlighted in red and yellow should begin making preparations now.
Saturday 8 p.m. update
• Riley County Emergency Alerts https://www.rileycountyks.gov/alerts (785) 537-6333
• Pottawatomie County Emergency Alerts https://www.pottcounty.org/eAlerts(785) 457-3358
• A floodplain map is available at www.cityofmhk.com/floodmap. Residents living in areas highlighted in red and yellow should begin making preparations now.
Residents of projected flood affected areas may receive one or all of the following depending which of the respective evacuation zones they live in:
• Making an emergency kit https://www.redcross.org/…/how-t…/survival-kit-supplies.html
• Creating a household evacuation plan that includes pets https://www.redcross.org/…/how-to-prepare-…/make-a-plan.html
• Connecting with neighbors to make plans and share information