FLOOD1993
UNIVERSITY DAULY KANSAN
Wednesday, July 28, 1993
3
River level, rains expected to recede until weekend
By Carlos Tejada
Kansan staff writer
Paula Phillips, director of emergency preparedness for Douglas County, won't go so far as to say the worst has passed.
But by yesterday afternoon, city officials were optimistic about the level of the Kansas River and the summer of rain and flooding in general. Rod Bremby, assistant city manager, said the sunny forecast and the propping of the river by as much as 5 feet by Friday were welcome news.
"We hope the river has reached its crest here," Brenny said. "We hope we've seen the worst of it."
For many residents the news was welcome. Since July 9, Lawrence has been hit with an amount of rain unseen since the flood of 1951. July's rainfall level was 11.34 inches, almost 8 inches more than the monthly average.
River levels at Leccompton, the water measuring station 10 miles up the river, have been over the flood stage of 17 feet for the past two weeks. The river current still flows freely through Burcham Park, Third and Indiana streets. Part of the Santa Fe railroad track on the south bank is closed because of flooding, and the
west end of Lawrence Riverfront Plaza's promenade is still under water.
Two weeks ago, Phillips estimated the total damage to private and public property in Douglas County at $3 million.
President Bill Clinton on Thursday declared Douglas County a federal disaster area, making local flood victims eligible for federal aid.
Yesterday, city officials had reason to be happy. According to reports by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Kansas River crested at 24.5 feet at the Lecompton station and was projected to be down to 20.5 feet by Friday. The National Weather Service said the weather would be clear until the weekend.
By Monday, both Milford and Turtle Creek reservoirs began to discharge more water than they were taking in. Their rates of output remain at 34,000 and 60,000 cubic feet per second respectively, said Scott Loehr, a spokesperson for the Corps.
Bremby said that despite the damage, Lawrence was spared more trauma because of its levee system, which kept the river from flooding North Lawrence.
"This has been probably the greatest test of the levee system since 1951, and it has remained intact," he said.
Water levels kept streams in North Michigan Street neighborhoods from draining. Water could be found on both sides of the railroad tracks north of Burcham Park. Residents of Wood Creek Townhomes, 255 N. Michigan St., and Mobile Village II home mobile park, 100 Arkansas St., watched water levels rise in their backyards during the weekend.
Some parts of Lawrence have become accustomed to the water. North Second and North Third streets remain closed after a July 9 storm dumped 5 inches of rain in North Lawrence. North Street from Second to Fourth streets, North Michigan Street, Indiana Street by Burcham and the eastern ends of 11th and 15th streets are also closed because of flooding
The flood became a tourist attraction for residents, who stood on the North Street bridge or the mall promenade and watched the river pass at 188,000 cubic feet per second. City officials said one resident rode part of the river in a kayak.
Not everybody took the flooding lightly. Alice Harris, resident of Mobile Home II, still is afraid of the water that rose in her backyard.
"I'm a disabled 76-year-old, and it upset me," she said. "It isn't any worse than it's been, but I'm still watching."
Watching rising water new form of fun
Angelique Lower / KANSAN
Facing south on the bank of the levee, the Kansas River crested at 24.5 feet on Monday. Flood level is 1.7 feet.
As the river rises so do the crowds helping, harming
By Carlos Tejada
Kansan staff writer
Art Levy is proof that not all Lawrence residents are afraid of the flood.
On Monday afternoon, amid the spectators gathered on the bridge over the foaming Kansas River, Levy, Lawrence resident, set up his oil paints and easel.
"I painted it from the other side with city hall." he said. "It's amazing. I've lived here for years, and I've never seen it like this."
Despite the damage and the fear the flood has caused residents for the past two weeks, despite the anger and
the losses the water has caused North Lawrence business owners, residents and even tourists have flocked to the river for entertainment. Spectators find the rushing waters, though dangerous, enthralling.
On any given afternoon last week, one could find a crowd on the promenade of the Lawrence Riverfront Plaza. Some gathered at the barricade of the blocked-off west end, where water splashed back and forth along the sidewalk. Others sat at the tables with their drinks and relaxed as they watched the gushing water.
"There's a lot of people coming down to look at the river for something to see," said David Longhurst, manager of the mail. "It's something 'o behold."
Audrey Petry, Lawrence resident, watched the flood with her fourmonth-old son, Jordan, and her friend Kendra Grosdidier, Lawrence resilient.
"Kansas." Grosdidier said, shaking her head. "It's not supposed to be like this."
The crowds hardly disperse at night. People fishing off the promenade catch foot-long catfish, adding the smell of fish and mud to the scene. Kids and adults both stooped under the barricade set up by the mall to get close to the water at the west end. Police now guard the barricade.
The visitors have done wonders for mall business, said Lili Newman, supervisor at Mercado Mexicana.
"Since the rains started, people have come to see the river, and then they stay here to eat," she said.
Newman said it was difficult to enjoy the added business when she thought of the losses the flood had caused Lawrence residents.
"You look at the other people and think, 'Gosh, I shouldn't be happy,' she said. "But since it's started, business has really picked up."
But the crowds also have blocked off people from getting to businesses, said Rod Bremby, assistant city manager. He urged spectators to park on the south side of the river. He said people parking on the north side of the river had snarled traffic and interfered with efforts to repair the North Second Street crater, which appeared in June and has proved difficult to repair.
One business not affected by the rising water, First Street Graphics, 733 Massachusetts St., makes light of the flood. A T-shirt for sale in its front window shows a hapless group of people traveling down a city street in a boat. "Row, row, row your boat gently down the street," printed on the shirt. Emmanuel Carter, co-owner, said selling the T-shirt did not bother him.
"It's just a lightening-up help for people," he said. "It's for people to loosen up about the flood."
Josh Fraser and Bob Parish, Veterans of Foreign Wars members, fish at what used to be a baseball diamond. Behind them is the home of the caretaker, Tom Meek, who moved out of his house Sunday night. The flooded field is near Burbham Park, Third and Indiana streets, which is also under water.
Valerie Bontrager / KANSAN
By the Numbers
Phone numbers have been established for information and rumor control concerning Lawrence flooding. Information can be obtained from the Douglas County Emergency Preparedness office. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will help with claims for federal aid filed for damages that occurred after June 28. Information 832-5039/FEMA 1-800-462-9029
Ronda Neeli, Lawrence resident, and Matt Perkey, fire department employee, fill sandbags at Fire Station No. 2, 1941 Haskell St. The sandbag filling was done Monday afternoon in preparation for possible flooding.
Valerie Bontrager / KANSAN
The Lawrence Riverfront Plaza's promenade has been under water off and on since July 19. Flood waters are expected to recede to 20.5 feet by Friday, three and a half feet above flood level.
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