More evacuations possible with more water released from Tuttle Creek Lake

Published: May. 30, 2019 at 9:56 PM CDT
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Many areas around Kansas are still struggling with flooding concerns. There's apprehension in Riley County with what may happen if more rain falls over the next few days.

Near Manhattan, the Army Corps of Engineers started increasing the amount of water flowing from behind the Tuttle Creek Dam.

Wednesday night, an evacuation advisory was issued for people in some communities where flooding from Tuttle Creek Lake could become a concern. This mainly impacts communities around the rivers where the excess water would travel.

Sandbags have been brought in for people in the flood plain and crews are releasing water from Tuttle creek at a rate of more than 27,000 cubic feet per second.

Emergency officials say flooding won't be a concern until that rate hits 30,000 cubic feet per second, but they believe this could happen in the near future.

In anticipation of possible evacuations, the American Red Cross has a shelter available in Manhattan at Westview Community Church at 615 Gillespie Drive. The shelter's director says five people arrived Wednesday night and they expect that number to increase. Pets are allowed inside the church, the director says.