Johnson County officials declare state of local disaster following storms, flooding
Officials in Johnson County have declared a state of local disaster following a pair of storms this week that created havoc in the metro area.
Board of County Commission Chairman Ed Eilert signed the emergency declaration late Thursday afternoon following two damaging storms this week.
The first storm occurred Saturday, resulting in wind and storm damage in several cities in Johnson County, and was followed by Wednesday night’s flooding in the county.
Dan Robeson, emergency management coordinator for Johnson County, said the declaration allows county officials to request additional resources and potential funding assistance for public facilities and roadways.
“It also activates the response and recovery aspects of local and inter-jurisdictional disaster emergency plans,” Robeson said in a statement released Thursday.
Much of the power restoration and debris cleanup from Saturday’s storm had been completed in the county just prior to the arrival of Wednesday’s torrential rain.
A number of record highs were recorded throughout the county, Robeson said.
“Multiple waterways within the county broke previous crest records,” he said. “Low-lying areas along Indian Creek, Turkey Creek, Tomahawk Creek, Little Mill Creek and the Blue River have been the most problematic areas.”
County officials said the storms caused significant damage to public facilities in Leawood, including a parks maintenance facility and vehicles, golf course, city park, fire truck and animal hospital. In addition, sections of Mission Road between 171st and 175th Street were damaged.
Johnson County Park and Recreation District sustained damage to streamway trails, Heritage Park Golf Course, Tomahawk Hills Golf Course and Nelson Island, located on the north end of Mill Creek adjacent to the Kansas River, officials said.
Toriano Porter: 816-234-4779, @torianoporter
This story was originally published July 27, 2017 at 9:57 PM with the headline "Johnson County officials declare state of local disaster following storms, flooding."