Salina Post
The Saline County Emergency Management team continues to monitor severe weather conditions and the associated flood risks, as the region enters an active weather period today through tonight on Tuesday, June 17th.
According to Saline County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service has placed much of central and south-central Kansas, including Saline County, under a 'moderate risk' for severe storms beginning this afternoon and continuing into early Wednesday morning.
Residents should expect the potential for:
Wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph, tennis ball-sized hail, a few tornadoes and heavy rainfall that could result in localized flooding overnight.
Saline County Emergency Management also notes that area rivers and streams are forecast to rise significantly.
Those areas include:
Mulberry Creek near Salina: Expected to crest near 26.5 feet, reaching major flood stage.
Smoky Hill River near Mentor: Forecasted crest near 24.2 feet, approaching moderate flood stage.
Smoky Hill River near New Cambria: Projected to crest around 30.3 feet, above moderate flood stage.
River levels are currently well below flood stage but are expected to rise rapidly as rainfall moves through the area. Residents in low-lying areas near rivers, streams and creeks should prepare for possible flooding and monitor conditions closely. Saline County encourages residents to not drive through flooded roadways and to always follow official detours and barricades.
Saline County Emergency Management remains in close coordination with the National Weather Service and regional response partners and will provide additional information as conditions warrant.
Eagle radio/media stations 99.9FM KSKG and 910AM/107.5FM KINA will be giving live updates on air if necessary.
Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the NOAA Weather Radio, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.
For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at https://www.weather.gov/ict/. To check forecasts frequently, go to weather.gov.