Cherokee County Emergency Management

06/22/2026

⚠️ Cherokee County Weather Update ⚠️

Cherokee County could see another round of active weather Tuesday evening through Friday.

The National Weather Service has placed southeast Kansas, including Cherokee County, under a low-confidence Marginal Risk for strong to severe thunderstorms Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning.

The main concern will be damaging straight-line winds. A brief tornado cannot be ruled out.

⏰ Possible timing for Cherokee County:
• Earliest: Around 8 PM Tuesday
• Most likely: 5 AM – 7 AM Wednesday
• Latest: Around 9 AM Wednesday

Flooding will also be a concern for Cherokee County through the week. With recent rainfall and saturated ground, ponding and flooding may develop quickly, especially in low-lying areas, poor drainage areas, and roadways that commonly hold water.

Please take time now to:
• Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts
• Secure loose outdoor items before storms arrive
• Avoid flooded roads — Turn Around, Don’t Drown
• Never drive around barricades
• Check on family, neighbors, and anyone who may need assistance

Cherokee County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the forecast and provide updates as conditions change.

Stay weather aware, Cherokee County.

06/20/2026

CHEROKEE COUNTY FLOOD WATCH 🚨

Cherokee County remains under a Flood Watch until Monday at 7:00 AM.

Periods of heavy rainfall are expected throughout the area, which could lead to flash flooding of low-lying areas, creeks, streams, poor drainage locations, and roadways. Residents should remain weather aware and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

⚠️ Safety Reminders:
• Avoid driving through flooded roadways – Turn Around, Don’t Drown
• Monitor local weather alerts and have multiple ways to receive warnings
• Secure outdoor items that could be impacted by heavy rain
• Be prepared for possible road closures and travel delays
• Never attempt to walk or drive through floodwaters

As you settle in for the evening and overnight hours, please stay alert. Conditions can change quickly, especially after dark when flooded roads are harder to recognize.

Cherokee County Emergency Management will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed.

Stay safe, stay informed, and report any significant storm damage to local officials. 🌧️🚧

06/18/2026

Good evening, Cherokee County! ❤️💛💚

Our office will be closed on **Friday, June 19th** for **Juneteenth**.

We will resume normal business hours on the next business day. We hope everyone has a safe, meaningful, and enjoyable Juneteenth as we take time to recognize freedom, history, and community.

Thank you, Cherokee County!

06/17/2026

🚨 Cherokee County Emergency Management – A Message of Appreciation 🚨

Tonight served as an important reminder that severe weather can change in an instant.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of our first responders across Cherokee County for remaining vigilant, prepared, and ready to act at a moment’s notice. The funnel clouds that developed are proof that even when conditions appear calm or everything seems okay, situations can rapidly evolve.

Your dedication to monitoring conditions, responding quickly, and keeping our communities safe does not go unnoticed. Your commitment is what helps protect lives and property throughout Cherokee County.

We would also like to recognize and thank Cory Moates for staying vigilant and being out on the road alongside our first responders. Leadership that is present, engaged, and willing to work shoulder-to-shoulder with emergency personnel makes a tremendous difference during rapidly changing situations.

This evening is a reminder to all residents: Stay weather aware, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and never assume conditions cannot change quickly.

Thank you again to everyone who answered the call and remained ready to serve Cherokee County. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.

06/17/2026

+++++++No longer in effect++++

CHEROKEE COUNTY TORNADO WARNING 🌪️

TAKE SHELTER NOW.

A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been indicated by radar or sighted in the warned area. This is a life-threatening situation and immediate action is required.

What you need to do right now:

🏠 Move to a basement, storm shelter, or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

🚪 Stay away from windows, doors, and exterior walls.

🚗 If you are in a vehicle, mobile home, or outdoors, seek substantial shelter immediately. Do NOT wait to see the tornado before taking action.

📱 Continue to monitor trusted weather sources and have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts.

⚠️ Protect yourself first. Property can be replaced — lives cannot.

Cherokee County Emergency Management is closely monitoring conditions. Please stay weather aware, check on family, friends, and neighbors, and be prepared to act quickly.

06/17/2026

⚠️ CHEROKEE COUNTY WEATHER UPDATE | SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT UNTIL 8:45 PM

Good evening, Cherokee County.

A strong thunderstorm is moving through portions of the county this evening and may impact areas over the next several minutes.

🌩️ Main Hazards:
• Wind gusts up to 40 mph
• Half-inch hail
• Heavy rainfall and reduced visibility at times

💥 Possible Impacts:
• Tree limbs may be blown down
• Unsecured outdoor objects could be tossed around
• Minor damage to vegetation is possible

⚠️ If you are outdoors, move indoors and secure any loose items around your property.

🚗 If traveling this evening, slow down and use caution, especially on area roadways and along Interstate 44.

Cherokee County Emergency Management will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates if additional watches or warnings are issued.

Stay weather aware and have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts.

06/16/2026

⚠️ Cherokee County Weather Update ⚠️

The National Weather Service is monitoring several rounds of severe weather potential for our area today through Thursday.

Today: There is a Marginal Risk, Level 1 of 5, for severe storms this afternoon and evening. Main concerns will be damaging winds up to 60 mph and hail up to golf ball size.

Wednesday Afternoon into Wednesday Night: This appears to be the main timeframe to watch. Cherokee County is included in a Slight Risk, Level 2 of 5, with higher risks north and east of our area. Large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes are all possible. Gusty southwest winds of 30–45 mph are also expected during the day Wednesday.

Thursday: Another Marginal Risk, Level 1 of 5, is in place for severe storms, mainly for damaging winds and large hail. Details may change depending on how storms develop Wednesday night.

Please take time today to review your severe weather plan. Have multiple ways to receive warnings, charge your phones, secure loose outdoor items, and know where you will go if a warning is issued.

Cherokee County Emergency Management will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as new information becomes available.

Stay weather aware, Cherokee County.

Send a message to learn more

06/15/2026

📢Cherokee County Storm Damage & Recovery Needs Reporting

Cherokee County Emergency Management is asking residents who were impacted by the recent severe weather to report any storm-related damages or unmet recovery needs.

This information helps local and state officials better understand the overall impact, identify areas with the greatest need, and coordinate available recovery resources.

Residents are encouraged to report damage to homes, property, agriculture, businesses, roads, and other infrastructure. You may also report recovery needs such as:

• Tree and debris removal
• Roof or structural damage
• Insurance gaps or no insurance
• Emergency repairs
• Accessibility or functional needs
• Financial recovery assistance needs
• Volunteer or cleanup assistance requests
• Any other storm-related impacts

📍 **Report damage online here:**
https://arcg.is/aSSyG

Please include as much detail as possible, including photos of damage if available.

Submitting damage information does **not** guarantee financial assistance or disaster declaration eligibility. However, accurate and timely reporting is very important in helping Emergency Management and our partner agencies understand community impacts and work toward recovery support.

Thank you, Cherokee County, for helping us gather this important information as we continue through the recovery process.

06/15/2026

Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Columbus, Cherokee County

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Columbus public water supply system located in Cherokee County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
The advisory took effect on June 15, 2026 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-429-2159, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at [email protected] or call 785-564-6767.



6-15-2026