BUHLER, Kan. — As the rain continues, officials in Buhler are preparing for the possibility that the community could be cut off on all sides by floodwaters.

As of Friday morning, all roads in and out of Buhler are open again, but any significant rainfall could cut off all roads to Buhler. The forecast is calling for chances of heavy rain through at least Tuesday.

Buhler Mayor Daniel Friesen issued a statement that the city is working with county emergency management to notify residents via the emergency alert system if the city becomes isolated.

Residents who are life-dependent on medications, oxygen, medical devices that use power, etc. should consider preparing for a delay in access to such needs. Likewise, all residents should be prepared for a delayed ability for emergency response services and make general preparations for further flooding.

Friesen added that residents are also encouraged to immediately disconnect any sump pumps connected directly to the city sewer system and discharge the systems to ground level. Doing so will limit the further impact on an already strained city sewer system.

The city of Buhler will attempt to make further updates via Facebook. Residents may also contact the city office at 620-543-2253 for more information.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Terry David wraps up a 34-year career as chief of Reno County EMS this week. A reception was held for David Thursday to celebrate his long career.

David started his EMS career in 1985 with Reno County EMS. Ten years later, he was recruited to direct Rice County Emergency Medical Services in Lyons. In 2016, David returned to Hutch Regional for a three-year stint as chief of Reno County EMS.

During the past three years, David has overseen a number of improvements in the department including improved quality of services, additional training for personnel and an increase in staff to handle the growing need for EMS services in Reno County.

David said he will miss the association with what he calls a passionate group of dedicated healthcare professionals along with interaction with patients and their family members. Reno County EMS operates with a staff of 36 full-time employees and nine part-time employees. In 2018, EMS responded to more than 7,000 calls, a nearly 300% increase from David’s early days with Reno County EMS.

Terry and his wife, Erna, will continue to reside in Lyons. David will remain active in emergency medical organizations as a member of the board of directors for the National Emergency Medical Training organization where he will travel nationwide to instruct EMS training seminars. Also, he will remain a member of the Kansas Hospital Association EMS Committee and the EMS Advisory Council at Hutchinson Community College.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to two calls just before noon Thursday. The first was in the 300 block of East Campbell. When crews arrived, they found that a small grill had singed part of a structure. The fire was out when crews arrived and caused only minor damage.

Just a minute later, fire crews responded to the Sunflower Motel in the 300 block of East 4th Avenue. There was an electrical issue in one of the rooms. Guests and residents were evacuated while crews took care of the fire. There were no injuries.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Many motorists in Hutchinson have dealt with street flooding, especially the past three weeks.

According to Nathan Mcconaghie with Midwest Ford in Hutchinson, even a small amount of water can cause problems for your vehicle, some in ways many people don’t think about. “There’s a chance of getting water . . . inside your differential and axle housings,” Mcconaghie said. “Brakes can get wet and, if extremely hot, can cause warping of the rotors. Of course, it can cause corrosion in any of your brake components.”

Mcconaghie says one area that people don’t think about is in the many electronic sensors that are on newer cars that can fail if they take on too much water. “There are electronic components that go down to the axles and if you’re driving in water halfway up on the wheels, there is a chance you could be getting water up in some electrical components,” Mcconaghie said. “There’s all kinds of sensors around the grill area. There are surrounding sensors around the vehicle for blind spots monitoring and lane departures.” Mcconaghie says such damage may cause your blind spot or lane drifting alerts to fail without notice.

Flood water can also get in your vehicle causing mold and other electronic damage especially if you have electric or heated seats.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The second round of NASA mission control consoles is leaving the Cosmosphere Spaceworks facility in the next few days. The consoles, which were used by mission control during the Apollo moon landings, were being renovated for the Johnson Space Center.

Jack Graber with Spaceworks says the restoration for the consoles has been hard work but fun. “It’s been enjoyable and I’m sure at times tedious,” Graber said. “It’s been a fantastic project working with everybody from Johnson Space Center, everybody here locally, it’s been a lot of fun.” Graber also says he is sad that the project, which has lasted more than a year, is coming to an end.

The consoles were first used for NASA’s Gemini 4 mission in 1965 and retired after STS-53, the 52nd space shuttle mission in December 1992. The consoles will be in place and ready for view in time for the 50th Anniversary for the Apollo 11 moon landing.

 

PLEASANTVIEW, Kan. — A Dickinson County resident was airlifted to a Wichita hospital following a three-vehicle accident in Pleasantview just before noon Wednesday.

According to the Reno County sheriff’s department, a motorcycle ridden by 66-year-old Marvin Morton of Abilene was westbound on U.S. 50. Morton attempted to merge left into the inside lane to make a left turn. Morton hit an SUV driven by 48-year-old Dena Rueb of Dodge City.

Morton’s motorcycle tipped over and slid for several feet. A semi being driven by 27-year-old Ty Renz of Rush Center was traveling just behind the white SUV. Renz swerved left and took the center median to miss the entire accident scene. The semi did not strike the other two vehicles, but sustained minor damage from taking the median. The semi got stuck in the soggy grass.

Morton was treated on scene by Reno County EMS and EagleMed. He was then flown to Wesley Medical Center for further evaluation. Neither Rueb or Renz were injured. The accident happened around 11:50 a.m. at the entrance to Dutch Kitchen in Pleasantview.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — While flooding is on everyone’s mind, insurance companies are busy dealing with other weather events.

The start of the severe storm season came two weeks ago with numerous tornado warnings and parts of the county pummeled with large hail. Insurance agent Deana Ackerman says they’ve had many insurance claims for hail damage, especially to vehicles. “We’ve been very busy … the majority of the storm was west of town, Nickerson and in that area,” Ackerman said. “We haven’t had a lot of hail damage reported here (in Hutchinson).”

Ackerman also says many homes in the area are being inundated by floodwater either from water forcing its way into basements or simply too much water alongside homes. Ackerman says many people still do not understand that flooding is usually not covered by standard insurance. “Unfortunately, floodwater is not covered under your homeowner policy. It’s only covered if you have flood policy through the federal government,” Ackerman said. While homes are not covered by regular insurance in a flood, vehicles are. Along with the claims for hail, Ackerman says they are getting claims for flooded vehicles.

Area home restoration companies are booked well out in advance because of the number of basements that are being flooded. If you find out your basement is flooded, never attempt to enter the water unless you can completely cut off all electrical service to the home from upstairs.

If you can’t cut off service, make sure you hire an electrician to do it for you.