News Update

News Update
May 8, 2007

Midwest Flooding Widespread

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported widespread heavy rainfall and flooding in the nation’s mid-section during the past two days.

According to NOAA, flooding was a threat from South Dakota to southeast Texas. NOAA’s Hydrologic Information Center reported moderate to major flooding this morning at 53 stream gauge sites in South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Arkansas. Minor flooding was reported at 87 gauge locations in the same area, and 107 sites are near flood stage. (See flood graphics for gauge sites at www.weather.gov/ahps.

Sample rainfall totals from the weekend storms included 10 inches (in.) at Epiphany, S.D.; 8.68 in. at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kan.; 8.02 in. at Pattonsburg, Mo.; and 7.98 in. at Logan, Iowa.

“Last weekend’s heavy rains have saturated soils so much they simply can’t absorb any more precipitation,” National Weather Service Central Region Director Lynn Maximuk said. “Thankfully, the severe weather is mostly gone for now, but we don’t want people to get complacent. Floods and flash floods kill more people than any other weather phenomenon. The easiest way to save your own life is to stay out of flood waters.”

Rescue workers were using modes of transportation from 4-wheel-drive farm tractors to jet skis to retrieve people from flooded homes and stranded cars. Emergency management workers conducted more than 500 water rescues through Monday in Topeka and Shawnee County, Kan. There were numerous evacuations in northwest Missouri, and many local and state roads were closed due to flooding.

As of yesterday evening, National Weather Service Flood and Flash Flood Watches were in effect for eastern Nebraska, portions of Iowa, eastern Kansas, central Oklahoma, northern and southwest Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Flood and Flash Flood Warnings were in effect for parts of southeast North Dakota, eastern South Dakota, southern and western Iowa, southeast Nebraska, eastern Kansas, northwest Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. (See national storm and flood forecast map at http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/noaa/noaa.pdf.)

Central Region Services Chief Mike Looney said the focus for possible severe weather today is from southwest and central Texas, with non-severe storms possible through Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. (See local forecasts by selecting locations on the National Weather Service map at http://www.weather.gov.)

— Adapted from an NOAA release.

Flooded Wells May Pose Health Risk

University officials are suggesting rural residents pay extra attention to rural well water.

“Wells that have been flooded need to be checked, cleaned and disinfected for the safety, health and life of the well and equipment before it’s returned to service,” said Morgan Powell, agricultural engineer with Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension.

Wells in flood pathways or near flooded areas have been affected by recent heavy rains and flooding of some creeks and rivers.

“In addition to pathogens that can make us sick, flood water carries abrasive sediment, debris, the occasional toxic chemicals, and other contaminants,” he said. “Choosing not to check and clean flooded wells may further damage equipment or lead to health consequences.”

Powell gave these recommendations to minimize damage to the pump, power unit, life of the well and consumer safety:

• Check the well and power unit for damage; the well’s construction, compared with standards; and run-in of flood water. Look for damage to the casing and components of the well. Also evaluate the well construction, as compared to state health department standards for well uses, Powell said. “If flood water was above the well casing, some contaminated water will have entered the well, so disinfection is essential.”

• Consult electrical and mechanical service providers and check any submerged electrical or mechanical components, including the motor, gear boxes, controls and internal combustion engine. Taking shortcuts on this can cause shorts in electrical equipment that could injure or kill people or shorten the life of the mechanical components because of moisture, rust or lubrication.

• If the well yields cloudy or turbid water, a run-in of flood water is likely. If it signals that sediment has entered the well, bring in a licensed well driller to remove the pump and clean out the sediment. Water pumps are not designed to handle sediment -- it will wear and may damage the pump. Well drillers have knowledge, skills and equipment to remove sediment.

• After checking the equipment and replacing the pump, the well should be pumped until all traces of turbidity have been removed and the water runs clear.

• Disinfect the well and water system after the well has been fully restored.

The amount of water and chlorine required to treat wells varies for wells used for irrigation and those for domestic household drinking water. It also varies by well size and water volume.

Powell recommends a chlorine dose of at least 500 milligrams (mg) per liter [or parts per million (ppm)] for domestic and 200 mg/L or ppm for irrigation wells.

The water will not be useable for drinking after the disinfection process until the well is flushed and a follow-up test is free of bacteria.

“After a flood, a domestic well should not be used for drinking water without emergency disinfection — a rolling boiling for at least three minutes or two drops of chlorine per quart (8 drops per gallon) of clear water — until a water test has shown the well is free of total coliform bacteria,” Powell said. “Think of it as cleaning your dishes after they were contaminated.”

• A bacterial water test should be collected a week after the shock chlorination. When the test shows no bacteria, it confirms the well can again be safely used for drinking.

“If the water test is not free of bacteria, repeat the shock chlorination disinfection process,” Powell said. “Wait at least three weeks before doing a third or more shock chlorination.”

More K-State Research and Extension and government agency information about wells and shock chlorination is available at www.kswaterwell.org.

— Release provided by K-State Research and Extension

USDA Releases Further Melamine Information

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a news release and fact sheet outlining the safety and risk associated with melamine.

The fact sheet outlines a low risk to humans from eating pork, chicken and eggs from animals fed feed supplemented with pet food scraps that contained melamine and related compounds.

To access the news release and/or fact sheet, visit www.usda.gov.

For additional information about the pet food or the contaminated feed investigation, go to www.fda.gov or www.usda.gov.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.