Floods Kill at Least Four Kids in Kansas

[kainah]

By JOHN HANNA, Associated Press Writer

EMPORIA, Kan. - Flash flooding swept seven vehicles off an interstate highway, killing four children, three of them strapped inside a minivan that was dragged for more than a mile by the rushing water. Rescuers on Sunday were still searching for the children's mother and a driver from Texas.

Everyone was accounted for in the other five vehicles that were swept off the roadway in eastern Kansas when torrential rain sent a creek spilling over Interstate 35 late Saturday, authorities said.

"It happened really fast, there was nothing that could be done," said the Rev. Steve Gordon, a driver who escaped unharmed. "It was a sick feeling just watching them go under."

The children's father, a Liberty, Mo., man, was drenched when he told Trooper Marc McCune he had broken out the driver's side window and was sucked out of the minivan. The man tried to save his family, but the van kept filling with water and floated away, McCune said.

more...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&e=3&u=/ap/20030901/ap_on_re_us/kansas_flooding

How tragic! But I'm glad we aren't seeing abnormal weather patterns or anything.

[donco6]

1. I went to college there.

And I don't remember water ever going over the interstate.

[roguevalley]

2. this is god awful

my condolences, Kansas

[Fovea]

3. I am sitting

200 feet above the Kawsmouth, and I am thinking about all the water that has fallen in the Kaw drainage area in the past 3 days. I think about 1951, and the meeting I went to last week.

http://65.64.114.185/7leveesReport/7leveesMeetingPersonalResponse.htm

I am saddened and horrified about this news story.
What father could survive that?

But I fear it is news of a sort we will be dealing with a lot in the future.

[donco6]

4. My folks were living in Manhattan in '51

They told us stories about how high the river got (Manhattan is at the confluence of the Kansas (Kaw) and Blue rivers). Whenever the river rose, it would be compared to that - ("Oh, it's high alright, but not as high as back in '51 . . . )

Just called my dad today and he said it was clearing up today, finally.

[FDRLincoln]

5. my instinct served me well

I was supposed to be on that road, driving from Lawrence to Wichita that evening. But when I got to Topeka, even though the rain wasn't that bad, I decided to turn around and go home. I had a "bad feeling" that that road wasn't going to be a good place to be. I missed out on a business opportunity as a result of not being in Wichita that evening, but better safe than sorry. I don't get "bad feelings" like that very often, but when I do I pay attention to them.

My condolences to the families impacted by this tragedy.

[kainah]

6. Good heavens, FDRLincoln. Glad you're safe!

It looks like you have some good energy looking after your well-being and the good sense to listen to those little voices. Glad you're safe!!!