Jun 12, 2022

Preliminary Riley Co. damage assessment: $9.74 million of storm damage

Posted Jun 12, 2022 9:09 PM
Photos courtesy Riley County Emergency Management
Photos courtesy Riley County Emergency Management

RILEY COUNTY —The preliminary storm damage assessment for Riley County is estimated at $9.74 million, according to a media release from the county.

A team from the Riley County Appraiser’s Office and Manhattan Fire Department’s Risk Reduction Division performed assessments of 41 residential and business properties which sustained storm damage. A total of 20 properties received major damage and 3 homes were declared completely destroyed. The total value of properties surveyed is estimated at $26.8 million.

Riley County issued a disaster declaration effective June 11, 2022 for this severe weather event.

“We’ve seen a lot of wind damage from this storm and a large amount of debris,” said Russel Stukey, Riley County Emergency Management Director. “As you’re cleaning up your property, be aware that nails and other sharp objects are likely present with roof debris and dangling overhead branches could pose a serious danger. Wear protective gear such as gloves, hard-soled shoes, hardhat or helmet, and eye protection. If you don’t feel comfortable performing the work yourself, hire a professional.”

Public Works crews will continue to remove storm debris from public roadways. In some areas, heavy equipment was used to push storm debris to the sides of the roads to allow through traffic. County and City crews will work this week to remove any remaining debris on public roads and public property.

The Riley County Transfer station will accept tree limbs and other plant-based debris from residents at no charge. Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 7AM to 5PM. They will not accept structural debris such as roofing material, building siding, or bricks. Please contact your trash hauler for more information about how to safely dispose of structural debris.

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MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Strong winds and storms forced crowds who gathered in a rural Kansas field for a symphony performance to evacuate and damaged a sorority house at Kansas State University.

About half a dozen tornado warnings were issued Saturday evening in eastern Kansas, The Kansas City Star reports.

Storm over Manhattan-photo Riley County Emergency management
Storm over Manhattan-photo Riley County Emergency management

Daniel Reese, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Topeka, said crews were on the ground Sunday morning, working to survey the damage, including downed power lines and trees, likely caused by a combination of tornadoes and straight line winds,

About 7,000 had gathered in a Chase County pasture for the Symphony in the Flint Hills, a popular annual event whose theme for 2022 was “Weather in the Flint Hills,” when the storms approached.

Manhattan turned out to be among the hardest hit areas, according to the weather service. Police there took reports of downed power lines and some damage to buildings, including the Chi Omega house.

At one point, more than 25,000 power outages were reported across Manhattan and nearby Marysville, Evergy reported.

Manhattan's Risk Reduction Division declared five structures condemned and unsafe to occupy. The structures were located in the McCain neighborhood area east of the Kansas State University campus. The two unoccupied Greek houses, Chi Omega at 1516 McCain and Kappa Alpha Theta at 1517 McCain Lane, and three single family homes in the area were severely damaged. Residents in the single-family homes were displaced but did not require assistance.  

The Riley County Transfer Station at 1881 Henton Road was opened today at 10:00 a.m. to allow people to dispose of tree limbs and other plant debris. There will be no charge for disposal. The station will remain open until at least 5:00 p.m. No roofing materials, siding, or other structural debris will be accepted. Contact your trash hauler for more information about how do safely dispose of structural debris.

Public Works Crews from Riley County, local townships, and the City of Manhattan will be working to remove storm debris from public roadways. For assistance disposing of tree limbs on private property, contact local tree service and landscape companies.

When cleaning storm debris remember to wear gloves, hard-soled shoes, and follow standard safety precautions when operating chainsaws and other power tools. 

In Marysville, police chief Matt Simpson, said that while there was damage in the city’s downtown area, no injuries were reported.