FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               

June 15, 2011

Telephone Town Hall Gets Answers for Kansans in Missouri River Flood Zone

WASHINGTON– More than 2,500 Kansans facing potential flooding along the Missouri River joined Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins on a live telephone town hall Wednesday evening to ask questions and talk about their concerns surrounding the impending weather event.

Questions ranged from issues regarding flood insurance, expected flooding peaks, evacuation plans to safety concerns for drinking water.  Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, Kansas Adjutant General Lee Tafanelli, KDHE Bureau of Community Health Systems Operation Director Michael McNulty, as well as representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, various state agencies and other local officials also took part in the call.

"Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the Missouri River flood zone, and I saw the scope and potential severity of this flood," Jenkins said. "As the waters continue to rise I want to do everything I can to help the people of Northeast Kansas, prepare, cope, and eventually recover from this flood.  I thank Governor Brownback, Insurance Commissioner Praeger and all the Federal and State officials for joining us on tonight's call, and hope this call was helpful for all those who participated." 

Governor Brownback thanked Congresswoman Jenkins and her staff for hosting the call and for the number of Kansans who shared their questions and concerns.

“Disasters know no boundaries.  Tonight’s call made it clear Kansans are very concerned about how their families, neighbors and communities will be impacted by the rising waters.  They want to know what they can do to prepare and how they should respond should they have to evacuate,” Gov. Brownback said.  “The State of Kansas will work closely with federal and local officials and emergency responders to do what we can to assist those affected by the flooding.”

More than 18,000 calls were made by Congresswoman Jenkins’ office to Kansans living in Doniphan, Atchison and Leavenworth Counties, inviting them to join the conversation.  Hundreds more called into the telephone town hall.  Kansans on the call learned about getting flood insurance questions answered at www.floodsmart.gov and how those with special needs should call *211 to register with the United Way so additional assistance can be provided if needed.

Flood and evacuation information is available at www.ksready.gov  and www.fema.org.