Kansans were reminded yet again how natural disasters can come with little or no warning when up to 9 inches of rain resulted in flooding across several counties Labor Day weekend. Gov. Jeff Colyer issued a state of emergency declaration for five counties and assessments are occurring in others. Ironically, some of the areas hit hardest had been in a state of drought.
The flooding is just the latest disaster to hit the state this year, which underscores the importance of planning in advance to help lessen damage to lives and property in the event of a disaster, said Elizabeth Kiss, a family resource management associate professor at Kansas State University.
Kiss and a team of K-State Research and Extension educators and specialists across the state encourage Kansans to plan in advance through Prepare Kansas, an online challenge designed to help individuals and families prepare in order to ease recovery and potentially save lives when disasters strike.
Prepare Kansas poses simple tasks such as make an emergency plan; install or inspect smoke alarms; and make a plan for pets and animals that individuals and families are encouraged to complete during September to coincide with Kansas Preparedness Month and National Preparedness Month. Prepare Kansas is in its sixth year.
