By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
During Tuesday's Saline County Commission meeting, Commissioners made official a State of Disaster Declaration for June 8th's storms. Saline County Emergency Management gave details regarding the impact of the storms.
Monday’s storms consisted of heavy rainfall, 113 mph winds and thunderstorms.
More than 45,000 people with electricity from Evergy and DSO Electric Cooperative Inc. across Saline County, were without power for over 48 hours.
Over 3,000 calls were made for emergency and non-emergency services.
Organizations and companies such as Tony's Pizza Events Center, Salvation Army, Hot Meals USA, Eight Days of Hope and Schwan’s all provided meals during the week after the storms.
Shelter services for citizens and volunteers were provided as well. United Methodist Church, Kansas Wesleyan University and American Red Cross were among those who offered.
Granny’s Alliance is offering free shower and laundry services until June 19 at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church.
Click here for more information on that.
Chainsaw crews consisted of Convoy of Hope in partnership with The Ark Church, Emmanuel Church, Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Mennonites Disaster, Team Blackthorn, Rapid Ministries, Minuteman Disaster Response, Team Rubicon and Eight Days of Hope.
The City of Hutchinson and City of Andover provided extra traffic crews to help with the affected light signals across Salina as well.
Commissioners Joe Hay and Annie Grevas commended the Saline County Emergency Management staff and the community as a whole for stepping up.
“You guys are outstanding, and we are really proud to have you guys in Saline County,” said Hay.
“What a wonderful community we live in and we so appreciate it,” said Grevas.