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Manhattan Flood Information

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1. Is the evacuation advisory still in effect?

As of June 2, 2019 at noon, the evacuation advisory was lifted, and we are back to a high water advisory. Call the flood information hotline number at 785-587-4526 for assistance. 

2. Is a shelter available?

The American Red Cross did have shelter location open at Westview Church at 615 Gillespie Drive during the evacuation advisory. Now that the evacuation advisory has been lifted and we are back to a high water advisory, the shelter will close at 10:00 a.m. on June 3, 2019. 

3. Is there a plan for door-to-door notification of residents and what messages might they give?

Residents of projected flood affected areas may receive one or all of the following messages over time depending on in which evacuation zone they live:

A. High Water Advisory - Notifies residents to prepare for potential high water that may impact homes, businesses or nearby roads. (Low risk)

B. Evacuation Advisory - Notifies residents that they may need to evacuate in the near future because high water is expected to impact homes, businesses, and nearby roads. (Moderate risk)

C. Evacuation Order - A notification of Immediate Danger. Residents are advised to evacuate because water will severely impact homes, businesses, and nearby roads. For security reasons, a curfew will be established. (High risk)

If you are not home, information will be left on your door.

4. How will I know if someone telling me to evacuate is official?

Emergency personnel wearing an official uniform will make notifications. If you question the legitimacy of the people at your door, always ask for an official government ID.

5. Should we mark our house if we evacuate early to let the emergency personnel know that we have left?

For security reasons, residents or property owners that evacuate early should not identify their property as being evacuated. Evacuation teams will still go door to door and post an evacuation order on vacant structures. Police have increased patrols in the area for safety reasons. 

6. Why can’t the Corps let out a little water to avoid a large “uncontrolled” release?

Even small releases can have major impacts to areas downstream that are already flooded. The US Army Corps of Engineers manages all of the waterways in the US. Releases from Tuttle Creek Dam are controlled by the outlet works and spillway gates, there are no "uncontrolled releases. Releases will be adjusted and recalculated around the clock. The lake is doing what it was designed to do — store flood water as long as possible until it can be safely released. 

7. How much time will the Corps give us before opening the spillway gates or increasing the water release?

The County, City, and areas downstream will receive official notice from the Corps of Engineers of any significant release of water. Emergency managers will provide as much notice to the public as soon as information is available. Properties downstream could be affected within hours or days depending on the release amount.

8. Do I need to turn off my gas?

Do not turn off natural gas at the meter. Only emergency responders and qualified service personnel should turn the natural gas meter valve on or off. More information is available on the Kansas Gas Service website.

9. What areas were affected by the 1993 flood?

To view 1993 flood map from the Riley County GIS website click the Layers tab at the top, select Hydrology from the drop down menu, then select 1993 Flood.

10. What is the difference between a 100-year and 500-year flood?

A 1% flood is commonly referred to as a 100-year flood and a 0.2% flood is commonly referred to as a 500-year flood. However, this does not mean there will only be one flood of that magnitude in that time frame. The 0.2% chance identifies that area that has a 0.2% chance of flooding each year. The 1% chance identifies the areas that have a 1% chance of flooding each year. Both of these are shown on the Riley County GIS website (see answer for mapping). The 1993 flood closely reflected the 0.2% chance flood modeling on the FEMA floodplain maps. 

11. Is FEMA updating the 2015 flood maps?

There are no plans to change the flood mapping zones at this time by FEMA.

12. Where can I get sand and sandbags?

There are several locations in Riley County and Pottawatomie County for residents and businesses in the flood prone areas can get up to 15 sandbags.

Riley County

• 6215 Tuttle Creek Blvd between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F. (unfilled bags with sand on site)

Pottawatomie County

• Pottawatomie County sandbag filling station is closed at this time and will publish when it opens again.
• Incorporated areas contact the municipality for sandbags.
• Unincorporated areas: Public Works Yard in Westmoreland 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-F

Hardware stores also sell sandbags, but may have a limited supply of bags. Sand is still available at local outlets.

Emergency Managers recommend these sandbags be used to temporarily block doors, garage doors and window wells. We do not recommend building sandbag walls. Sandbags should be used to delay small amounts of water while belongings are being removed. Sandbags do not keep standing or rising water out for an extended time and even with short term use, may require some kind of trash/water pump.

13. Do you need volunteers?

Volunteer efforts are being coordinated through the Flint Hills Volunteer Center flinthillsvolunteercenter.com . Please contact them if you would like to help.

14. Who can I talk to about building in the floodplain?

Questions about floodplain regulations should be directed to Steve Higgins (785) 537-6332 in Riley County outside Manhattan and Chad Bunger (785-587-2412) in Manhattan.

15. Who should I talk to learn more about flood insurance?

Questions about flood insurance should be directed to an insurance agent or FEMA.

16. Do releases at Tuttle Creek Lake affect Wildcat Creek?

Flooding effects along Wildcat Creek is dependent on the elevations of the Kansas River and Wildcat Creek, not Tuttle Creek Lake or the Big Blue River. However, flood conditions downstream on those waterways make Wildcat Creek more vulnerable to flash flooding because large amounts of rainfall cannot exit the channel as quickly.

17. Will the City issue permits to rebuild or repair homes if flooding occurs?

Following a flood event, the City of Manhattan will inspect homes and businesses in the City limits for safe and habitable conditions. If the property is located in the City’s Special Flood Hazard Area (the definition can be found in Section 10-105), a detailed inspection of the building will occur. If the damage to the building meets or exceeds the definition of being substantially damaged (also found in Section 10-105), the building must conform to the Floodplain Regulations.

Generally speaking, if a home was found to be substantially damaged (damaged 50% or more than the fair market of the home or damaged by 2 floods in a 10-year period that caused an average of 25% or more damage of its fair market value), and was built lower than today’s base flood elevation; the house would need to be elevated. This regulation is one of the City’s higher standard floodplain regulations to break the cycle of a flood, repair, and repeat and to make current properties safer from flooding.

18. Will my power be shut off?

Westar will only turn power off if emergency management requests it, if Westar employees identify risk of injury, or if a customer requests it.

19. What if I return to my residence and find damage?

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.

20. Is there a curfew in place?

A curfew from sundown to sunrise the following day was approved by the Riley County Commission for any designated evacuation areas.  

21. Are any roads closed?

Riley County GIS has made available a map of all road closures in the county. Here is the link: https://rcitgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=37eff9b0d34e415b82bb9a3654a9f983 

22. What can I do about mosquitoes?

The Riley County Health Department recommends the following

https://cityofmhk.com/DocumentCenter/View/55121/Mosquito-Prevention-Fact-Sheet?bidId= 

Eliminate Standing Water

• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, etc.
• Mosquito dunks – use one mosquito dunk for every 100 sqft of water surface. Always follow the instructions listed on the manufacturer’s packaging
• Tightly cover water storage containers so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs
• For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito

Keep Mosquitoes out of Your Home

• Use screens on windows and doors
• Repair holes in screens
• Use air conditioning, when available
• Insect Repellent
• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with the following active ingredients:
• DEET
• Picaridin (KBR 3023)
• Bayrepel
• Icaridin
• IR3535
• Oil of Eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-methane-diol (MPD)
• Brand names include: Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, Ultrathon, Cutter Advanced, Skin-so-Soft Plus Expedition, SkinSmart and Repel*
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing and gear
• ALWAYS follow produce label instructions

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

*These are given for your information only. RCHD cannot and does not recommend or endorse any brand name products

For more information, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitos