Flood in Shawnee, Kansas

A record breaking flood event occurred October 1st into October 3rd over a part of Northeast Kansas. Intense rainfall during the late evening of October 1st through the early morning of October 2nd brought six to twelve inches of rain to southern Pottawatomie, northern Shawnee, and much of Jefferson and Jackson counties. An unofficial report of 14.9 inches of rain was recorded on the north edge of Hoyt in southern Jackson County. Fortunately, no deaths were reported but a total of 9 injuries occurred. Damage totaled in the millions of dollars to personal property as well as to transportation, sewer and water distribution infrastructures. The governor declared a state of emergency in Shawnee, Jackson and Jefferson counties. These counties were later declared eligible for SBA loans due to the uninsured damage. They were also declared eligible for federal assistance for the repair and replacement of damaged facilities and infrastructure.The intense rain produced floods of record on Soldier Creek near Delia and Topeka.Cross Creek at Rossville recorded its third highest stage ever and caused considerable impact to the small community. The event began as thunderstorms developed over the area. Flash flooding was first reported in Shawnee county but spread to Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie counties as the thunderstorms continued to develop and track over the same areas during the early morning hours. By sunrise on the 2nd, more widespread flooding was reported over these four counties. This flooding continued until the morning of the 3rd when the flood waters receded. Much of Jefferson, northwestern Shawnee and southern Jackson counties became landlocked by sunrise on the 2nd as roads became impassable and bridges were damaged or washed out. Numerous water rescues were carried out in these counties by emergency personnel to individuals stranded by the floodwaters. With the widespread areal extent of the flood, helicopters and even airboats were used in the rescues creating a rather unique scene for Kansas. A very dramatic water rescue unfolded the morning of the 2nd in northwest Shawnee County. A family of four was camping in the early morning hours beside Soldier Creek when the flood waters overtook their campsite. They were rescued as they clung to a tree with floodwaters at least 10 feet deep flowing rapidly through their campsite.Boil water orders were in effect for several rural water districts as water transmission lines were damaged by the flood waters. Many homes were flooded and some farm animals in rural areas were drowned. A few homes in northwest Shawnee County even floated off their foundations and mobile homes floated away. In Pottawatomie county there was a washout of the mainline track of the Union Pacific Railroad. To the northeast of Topeka, train crews were stranded due to the washout of bridges and the derailment of four train cars. The bridge washouts caused a 50 mile backup of trains.Some other rather unique incidents were reported. An animal shelter in Shawnee County had to move over 300 of its residents to higher ground before water threatened their facility. A large floating hay baler posed a threat to water rescue personnel in Jefferson County while floating propane tanks did likewise in Jackson County. Perhaps the biggest impact on a community occurred at Rossville in northwest Shawnee County. Floodwaters in Rossville brought a voluntary evacuation order. The grade school was flooded but due to early warning, school personnel were able to move many supplies and equipment to higher ground before the floodwaters hit thus greatly minimizing the damage. The early warning also allowed an orderly evacuation of 50 nursing home residents.