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Bourbon County declares local disaster after storms; public works reports widespread road damage
Summary
The board approved a local disaster proclamation and heard updates on storm damage to county roads and Elm Creek Lake; public works asked to allow a roll-off for volunteer cleanup and warned of landfill closures on high-wind days.
Bourbon County commissioners on Monday unanimously approved a local proclamation declaring a state of local disaster emergency after storms on June 18 and 19, the county's emergency staff said.
"Does hereby proclaim that a state of local disaster emergency exists," the proclamation read as presented by county staff seeking the board's signature. The document invokes the Kansas Emergency Preparedness Act of 1975 and covers the entire county for 14 days unless renewed.
Public works and emergency management officials told the board roads across the county experienced washouts and downed trees. The most severe damage was reported along K-54 toward Redfield Road and on Soldier Road near the Allen County line, officials said. "We had several trees, large trees that came down," a public works official said, and crews are prioritizing crown repairs and ditching to prevent subbase failure when weather permits.
Elm Creek Lake: Staff said some shelter roofs were repaired by volunteers and county crews. The county has not completed the dam inspection required for an application for phase two grant funding; staff advised the board that the phase-two grant application is due June 16 and recommended waiting for the inspection rather than submit incomplete materials.
Volunteer cleanup: The board approved a request to place a roll-off container at a volunteer group's staging area during a regional cleanup event (Kanza Bonanza), after a motion from a commissioner. Public works will coordinate logistics.
Landfill operations: Public works reported Allen County Landfill will close for deliveries during National Weather Service high-wind warnings; the county is exploring contingency hauling plans and the need for additional trailers.
Why this matters: The proclamation starts the county's formal documentation needed for state and federal aid requests if the governor and later FEMA approve disaster declarations. Road damage is affecting travel and local infrastructure; debris removal and dam inspection timelines will influence grant eligibility and repair scheduling.
Ending: Commissioners signed the proclamation and directed staff to pursue the next steps in the emergency declaration process. Public works will continue damage assessments and coordinate cleanup logistics with volunteers and neighboring counties.
