Latest news with #ShawneeCountyEmergencyManagement
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Much of Kansas to see enhanced risk for hail, high winds, tornadoes June 17
The National Weather Service predicts an "enhanced" risk for severe weather the evening of June 17 for much of Kansas, including Topeka. Thunderstorms are expected to develop along a front anticipated to move slowly through the area, said a graphic posted on the website of the weather service's Topeka office. "Large hail (2+ inches), damaging winds (60-70+ mph), a few tornadoes and flash flooding would be possible," that graphic said. Topeka, Salina, Hutchinson, Wichita, Manhattan, Lawrence, Holton and Ottawa are all part of the area expected to see an enhanced risk for severe storms. An enhanced risk outlook is put forth when meteorologists expect scattered to numerous severe storms and have high confidence those storms will contain damaging winds, severe hail and/or tornadoes, said a graphic provided to The Capital-Journal by Shawnee County Emergency Management. A marginal risk for severe storms is expected early July 17 for an area that includes Hutchinson, Salina, Wichita, Manhattan and Marysville, said a graphic on the website of the weather service's Topeka office. Topeka is not part of the area involved. 'If morning storms end sooner (on June 17), the atmosphere could recover early enough for storms to redevelop in the late afternoon with all hazards possible,' that site said. 'If morning storms linger longer, then severe weather becomes most probable later in the evening and overnight with damaging winds, large hail and flooding.' A slight chance for excessive rainfall leading to flash flooding is expected the evening of June 17 and early morning of June 18 in north-central, northeast and east-central Kansas, the weather service said. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@ or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Enhanced severe storm risk expected late June 17 for much of Kansas
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Shawnee Co. AMR sees the most late responses in years
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Shawnee County Commission voted unanimously to fine American Medical Response (AMR) for long response times on Monday, May 5. AMR was late 273 times in February 2025, according to a report from the Shawnee County Ambulance Compliance officer. Out of those late responses, AMR was penalized $4,540 for 92 of the late responses in the four zones AMR operates. Looking back at late response records, February 2025 saw the most late responses for the month on record. January 2025 had 85 penalties, a number last seen in January 2018. TDC Learning Centers in Topeka to soon close, teachers and parents given short notice AMR must pay $10 for every minute over a predetermined response time for each zone, according to AMR's contract with Shawnee County. AMR is responsible for paying a fine for each month it fails to meet 80% of the calls for its zones. All calls over 45 minutes are fined $100 per minute in addition to the Zone 4 penalties. Chart compiled by 27 News using Shawnee County Emergency Management compliance numbers going back to 2017. Zone February On Time Percentage Number of Feb. late responses Penalties General Area 1 86.58% 205 $10 each minute past 15 minutes Central Topeka, East Topeka, North Topeka 2 57.45% 40 $10 each minute past 18 minutes Silver Lake, Montara, Washburn Rural 3 46.88% 17 $10 each minute past 20 minutes Auburn, Berryton, Dover 4 18.18% 9 $10 each minute past 22 minutes Rossville, Wakarusa 'Contract C207-2016 as amended allows for penalties and fines for long responses,' said Shawnee County Emergency Management Ambulance Compliance Officer Nelson Casteel. 'Depending on the location of the call, they are fined based on a response time matrix that has been in place since January 1, 2017. We require certain parameters to be met, and it is left up to them as to how they meet those parameters.' 27 News reached out to Global Medical Response, the parent company of AMR in Topeka, about the fines. Public Relations Specialist Kelly Watson said money from the fines goes to a county fund that helps support improvements to the 911 and emergency medical response system. Kansas gov. warns of $1 billion Medicaid cuts, Republican retaliates with 'fearmongering' accusation 'While we continue to meet or exceed overall contractual response time requirements, which is arrival within the response times standards of the contract, at least 80% of time, isolated delays can occur, and frequently in our community those delays are tied to callers with injuries or illnesses that aren't time sensitive or life threatening—we always prioritize patients with life-threatening emergencies first, causing longer responses to those that are not life threatening,' Watson said. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When are tornado sirens triggered in Shawnee County?
SHAWNEE COUNTY (KSNT) – Shawnee County Emergency Management (SNCO EM) gave an update on its Outdoor Warning System (OWS) policy this week. SNCO EM reported on April 24 that when a tornado watch is issued, it moves into an increased 'Situational Awareness' posture. SNCO EM teams start by emailing partners and making notifications through social media. More team members are activated as risks increase. Once a warning is issued through the National Weather Service (NWS) or a trusted agent, the sirens in the warned area, using a specific location, will be activated. Once activated, the system will run for two to three minutes and then break. The system will be reactivated and the process is repeated until the warning expires or is cancelled. 61st year for biggest car part swap meet in Kansas The Shawnee County Consolidated Emergency Communication Center can work as a backup to activate the OWS. The SNCO EM says the ability to activate the OWS for a specific area may not be possible, resulting in an all-county activation. 'The previous policy of an all-county activation is not desired however, the objective of this policy is to warn people in the event of a life-threatening situation in order to preserve life and prevent human suffering.' SNCO EM policy guide excerpt A tornado watch means the conditions in our atmosphere are favorable for severe weather and you still have time to prepare. But as soon as a tornado warning is issued, it's time to take cover inside of a sturdy structure because severe weather is immediate or actively occurring. In the case of a tornado, that means that either rotation has been indicated on radar or a trained spotter has seen a tornado. Just after 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, the NWS issued tornado warnings for multiple northeast Kansas counties. Tornado warnings were issued in Jefferson, Shawnee and Jackson counties. Are there public tornado shelters in NE Kansas? 'This thing popped up so fast and it just said tornado warning Shawnee County, we weren't clear where it was so we sounded all county sirens, then once we figured out where it was we shut those all down and just sounded those sirens in that warned area up north,' said Shawnee County Emergency Director Dusty Nichols. The next policy review date will be on March 1, 2026. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why did the tornado sirens sound across Shawnee County?
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Why did the tornado sirens go off in all corners of Shawnee County Wednesday afternoon? Around 4:45 p.m. on April 23, Shawnee County, along with other counties in northeast Kansas, were issued tornado warnings by the National Weather Service (NWS). Residents in all of Shawnee County experienced the tornado sirens going off temporarily. Dusty Nichols, Shawnee County Emergency Management Director, told 27 News the tornado sirens went off in all of Shawnee County because the county was unclear of the exact area that was in the tornado warning. They reduced the sirens to the area impacted once the location became clear. $100,000 grant fuels big dreams in 21 Kansas schools The tornado warning for Shawnee County expired at 5:15 Wednesday. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tornado warnings temporarily issued for NE Kansas counties
Update: The tornado warning expired at 5:15 p.m. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Douglas, Osage and Shawnee Counties until 5:45 p.m. Dusty Nichols, Shawnee County Emergency Management Director, told 27 News the tornado sirens went off in all of Shawnee County because the county was unclear of the exact area that was in the tornado warning. They reduced the sirens to the area impacted once the location became clear. TOPEKA (KSNT) – Tornado warnings have been issued for several counties in northeast Kansas Wednesday afternoon. Just after 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued tornado warnings for multiple northeast Kansas counties. Tornado warnings for Jefferson, Shawnee and Jackson Counties are in effect until 5:15 p.m. Country music festival coming to the Little Apple Residents should be aware of half dollar size hail, according to the NWS. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
