County emergency staff report Wellsville boil advisory, crests expected on Potawatomi Creek

County emergency and public works staff reported June 4 that recent storms caused power outages, a temporary boil‑water advisory in Wellsville and localized road closures.

Tom, an emergency management staff member, said recent storms damaged a power pole on a main line from Evergy and left parts of Wellsville without power for about four hours. "When their pressure goes below 18 PSI, they go in an automatic, boil advisory," Tom said, adding that laboratory tests through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment were expected to determine when the advisory could be lifted.

Tom reported current river readings and expected crests: "Potawatomi Creek is at about 20, 22 feet right now. It's to crest at 24 feet at about 01:00 in the morning. Meridizine is at 30 feet right now. It'll crest at 32 feet at about 01:00 in the morning." He said a log jam on the Meridizine and a number of closed roads were ongoing concerns.

Staff also reported the state had prepositioned Kansas Task Force 2 and Kansas Search and Rescue Task Force 5 water rescue units from Manhattan, Junction City and Salina. Those assets were described as state‑driven missions available if county officials requested assistance.

Commissioners and staff said they were coordinating EMS coverage and fire protection for areas where roads may be cut off, and that standard contingency plans were in place for affected townships.

Tom said crews had completed some immediate work and that additional tests and monitoring would determine when boil advisories and road closures could be lifted.