Finney County declares local emergency after high winds topple trailers, damage roofs

The Finney County Board of Commissioners approved a local state of emergency after recent high winds caused property damage across the county.

Paul Resly, the county emergency manager, described overturned semi‑trailers, roof and shingle damage, and at least one traffic signal that fell onto a vehicle during the storms. Resly told commissioners the county had “a fair amount of damage” and that crews and emergency responders had already contained fires and assisted stranded motorists. The board moved and seconded the item and approved Resolution 11 20 25 declaring a state of local emergency; the motion carried.

Resly said the weather outlook included additional high-wind and fire-danger days followed by a possible winter‑weather advisory midweek, and he reported coordination with the Kansas State Emergency Operations Center and the American Red Cross. He told the board that the state EOC would activate at 11:00 that day to prepare for the event and that Red Cross resources were standing by. The resolution, as read at the meeting, states that a state of local emergency in Finney County was declared in March 2025 and remains in effect pending termination by law or board action.

Commissioners authorized the declaration to allow county emergency and recovery plans to be implemented and to enable eligibility for state and federal financial assistance should it become available. The vote was taken by voice and the motion carried with the commissioners present.