Sedgwick County emergency officials urge flood damage reports after flash-flood emergency

Sedgwick County emergency management officials briefed the Board of County Commissioners on June 25 about a flash-flood emergency in early June that produced widespread street flooding, dozens of water rescues and damage to homes, and they urged residents to file damage assessments so the county can pursue federal assistance.

Julie (Sedgwick County Emergency Management) said heavy rainfall on June 3–4 produced localized totals “from a couple of inches in the west almost to 7 inches, almost 8 inches on the east side of town” in a short period. She said 911 dispatch experienced a surge of calls during the afternoon of June 3 — 555 calls between noon and 4 p.m., including 226 calls between 1 and 2 p.m., and 95 water-rescue calls — while the National Weather Service and local dispatch coordinated warnings that led to a flash-flood emergency declaration.

County officials emphasized that damage assessments are needed to determine eligibility for public assistance. Julie said Sedgwick County did not meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency threshold for public assistance (the county’s stated uninsured-loss threshold was $2,700,000), but staff expect the U.S. Small Business Administration to offer low‑interest loans for homeowners and businesses and are coordinating with Butler County to stand up a customer service center. “It is loans. It is not free money,” she said.

The county has posted a public-damage reporting survey and resource page and has received roughly 39 reports to date, Julie said. County staff said damage reporting is essential because some flood damage (for example, basement and first-floor flooding) cannot be identified in drive‑by surveys and will not be addressed unless residents report it.

Sedgwick County also announced immediate recovery and public-safety resources: the county obtained 56 cleanup kits (including gloves, masks and buckets) to help residents remove mud and debris and posted debris-removal guidance on the county website. In addition, the county will operate a temporary tree‑debris drop‑off site for Sedgwick County residents only (no businesses) at the public works west yard, 4701 Southwest Street, from Thursday, June 26, through Saturday, June 28, 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; only storm-related tree debris such as branches and twigs will be accepted and residents must unload their own material.

Commissioners also asked how residents can receive emergency notifications. Julie said residents should sign up for the county’s Civic Ready Alerts at the Sedgwick County Emergency Management web page for email, text or phone notifications; wireless emergency alerts (the cell-phone “amber-style” messages) will be used sparingly and only for life‑threatening flash‑flood emergencies.

The county also reminded residents that fireworks and noise complaints should use the nonemergency line — (316) 290‑1011 — which will be staffed extended hours from June 27 to July 6, 6 p.m.–3 a.m.; life‑threatening incidents still require 911.

Officials asked residents to file the county’s damage survey even if assistance is uncertain. “If people don’t tell us what their damages are, we really cannot tell what is happening to marshal resources,” Julie said.