New link added: tornadoalleylive.com

ViewFromTheMidwest.com has added a new link to its lineup: tornadoalleylive.com.

During severe weather, viewers can click on the link, which is located at the top of the left column under the Local Weather heading, and watch live shots from professional storm chasers.

Olathe workers continue flood response

Crews from a number of City of Olathe departments have been working since well before sunrise responding to high water throughout the city.  A number of areas, especially in southeast portions of Olathe, experienced a 25 to 100 year flood event due to the excessive rainfall.  Initial reports suggest over 3.5 inches of rain fell over a brief period of time in areas of the city already saturated from previous showers.

At the height of the event, there were over 10 street closures, including three major intersections.  The Olathe Fire Department performed numerous water rescues at thirteen separate locations.  Fortunately, there are no reported life-threatening injuries or fatalities, and all intersections have re-opened.

Brownback signs 5 bills into law

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed five bills into law late Thursday, bringing the total number of bills signed during the 2013 Legislative Session to 131.

SB 20 makes several amendments to the Kansas Offender Registration Act including clarifying that effective dates for registration requirements reflect when various types of offenses originally were codified and aligning requirements for providing DNA samples to current KBI practices.

HB 2249 addresses several property-related issues including allowing tax refunds to landowners when fire districts are annexed by a city.

HB 2149 eliminates a $500,000 transfer from the Highway Patrol Training Center Fund to the State General Fund that has occurred each fiscal year since 1992.

HB 2162 prohibits the use of state-appropriated funds, aside from normal and recognized executive and legislative relationships, for lobbying federal, state or local governments regarding gun control issues.

S. Sub. for HB 2199 makes changes to current alcoholic liquor laws, including amendments to the Club and Drinking Establishment Act and the Kansas Liquor Control Act.

 

Water rescue in Olathe

The link to the photos of a water rescue in Olathe and other rain-related photos come from the City of Olathe’s website and are courtesy of Britt J. Nelson.

Click here to view the photos.

Nearly 5 inches of rain falls on Olathe

Nearly 5 inches of rain fell on Olathe beginning about 4 a.m. Friday, May 31, and ending about 6:30. For the week, nearly 7 inches of rain has now fallen in Olathe and Johnson County.

The heavy downpour caused flooding in many areas of Olathe and the Olathe Fire Department reported several water rescues, especially in the 139th and Mur-Len and Lindenwood areas near Indian Creek.

Freelance videographer Matthew Hicks was up early Friday morning and captured the following video footage.