TOPEKA, Kan. – Gov. Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency declaration today, May 17, 2021, for flooding that occurred in counties throughout Kansas. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties that meet certain criteria.

‘We urge residents to be aware of their safety. Flood waters can be deceptive,” Kelly said. “Although people often think of tornadoes as the big destructive force of nature in Kansas, floods can be just as damaging, if not more so. Floods affect many, many square miles, destroying or damaging roads, bridges, power lines and other vital infrastructure. I am signing this declaration to help these county governments quickly restore infrastructure and get things back to normal for their citizens.”

For Kansas road information see www.KanDrive.org, which displays information from KDOT’s traveler information technology, including highway cameras, dynamic message signs, traffic management centers, and 511 via phone, and http://511mm.ksdot.org.