Cherokee County Emergency Management

10/20/2026

Tornado Siren Repair Update

Our contractors recently inspected the county-owned tornado sirens. The Roseland and Melrose sirens were found to have bad batteries, which were both replaced today. Roseland also has a blown circuit board; a replacement has been ordered and were replaced today.

The Hallowell siren has worn bearings that need to be replaced. Our contractor is ordering the necessary parts, and repairs will be completed as quickly as possible.

All other county-owned sirens are operational and in full service.

Cherokee County Emergency Management would like to thank the citizens who brought these issues to our attention and allowed us to generate work orders for repair. Your help makes a difference in keeping our communities prepared.

Send a message to learn more

10/13/2026

🌧️ FLOOD WATCH

A Flood Watch is in effect for Cherokee County from 10 PM tonight through 7 PM Thursday, October 15. Flooding is possible across Cherokee and Crawford counties in Kansas, as well as parts of Missouri.

Training thunderstorms may bring 2–4 inches of rain, with localized amounts up to 5 inches. Heavy rain could cause flooding in low-lying areas, poor drainage areas, and urban locations. Low-water crossings may become flooded.

Please use caution, keep an eye on changing conditions, and never drive through a flooded road. Turn around and find another route.

Stay tuned to official weather updates.

10/06/2026

📢 Tornado Siren Test Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 7, is the first Wednesday of the month, so Cherokee County’s tornado sirens will be tested at 11:00 a.m., weather permitting.

We test the sirens monthly to make sure they’re working properly and ready if severe weather threatens. The tests also help everyone recognize the sirens and know what to do when they sound during an actual emergency.

Thanks for helping us stay prepared!

10/05/2026

🔥 Fire Prevention Week 2026 | October 4–10 🔥

This week, Cherokee County Emergency Management joins fire departments and safety partners across the country in recognizing Fire Prevention Week.

This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower™.” Many of the devices we use every day—phones, tablets, tools, e-bikes, and more—use lithium-ion batteries. Charging them safely can help prevent fires and protect your family.

A few simple reminders:

• Use the charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer.
• Charge devices on a hard, flat surface—never under a pillow, on a bed, or on a couch.
• Do not use or charge batteries that are damaged, swollen, leaking, or unusually hot.
• Keep charging devices away from exits and escape routes.
• Recycle used rechargeable batteries properly—do not place them in household trash.

Take a few minutes this week to talk with your family about fire safety, check your smoke alarms, and make sure everyone knows two ways out of the home.

Thank you to the firefighters, first responders, educators, and families across Cherokee County who work every day to make our communities safer.

Stay safe and stay alert.

09/29/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 29, 2026

Contact: Jill Bronaugh

Boil Water Advisory Rescinded for Cherokee Co RWD 4, Cherokee County

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Cherokee Co RWD 4 public water supply system located in Cherokee County. The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure due to equipment malfunction. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind notice following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the Cherokee Co RWD 4 indicates no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 620-429-1006 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit our webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service.

When a public water supply system experiences a disruption in service there are precautions that consumers may need to take during and after the incident.

09/28/2026

Stay informed, Cherokee County!

Cherokee County Emergency Management uses Nixle to share important local information with residents, families, businesses, and visitors.

Alerts may include severe weather, road closures and hazards, boil water advisories, and other public-safety updates.

Signing up is quick and easy:

TEXT YOUR ZIP CODE TO 888777

No app is required; standard text-message rates may apply. Whether you live, work, or travel through Cherokee County, this is a simple way to stay connected when information matters most.

Please share this post with your family, friends, neighbors, and local businesses.

09/28/2026

This has expired as of 9/29/2026 @1720

Boil Water Advisory Update — September 28, 2026

Cherokee County Rural Water District No. 4 remains under a boil water advisory issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on September 25, 2026.

KDHE advised:

“The advisory took effect on September 25, 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 due to equipment malfunction. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.”

RWD #4 crews are actively working to correct the equipment issue and restore proper water-system pressure. Once those conditions are resolved, required water samples will be collected and submitted for laboratory testing. The advisory will remain in place until testing is complete and KDHE confirms it is safe to lift.
Please continue to follow all boil water advisory precautions.

Please continue to follow all boil water advisory precautions. I will share another update as soon as confirmed information becomes available and will also issue a Nixle alert when the advisory is officially lifted. For questions or assistance, please contact KDHE or Cherokee County RWD #4 directly.

09/28/2026

🚨 ATTENTION CHEROKEE COUNTY FIRST RESPONDERS 🚨

Cherokee County first responders are invited to attend the 2026 Girard Fire School on October 24–25 at the Girard Fire Department!

Training opportunities include:

🔥 Farm Rescue
🔥 Rural/Suburban Water Supplies
🔥 Engine to Fire
🔥 Forcible Entry
🔥 Ground Ladders and Fire Service Knots
🔥 Reading Smoke

📅 October 24–25, 2026
⏰ Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. daily
📍 Girard Fire Department
116 North Ozark Street, Girard, Kansas

Hands-on classes require attendees to provide their own full operational equipment. Eligible travel expenses—including hotel, mileage, and per diem—may be reimbursable through the KSFFA SAFER Grant.

A special thank-you to the Girard Fire Department for inviting Cherokee County’s first responders to participate in this wonderful training opportunity!

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fkansasstatefirefightersassociation.com%2Fevents%2Fgove-fire-school-bfezm-gk52s-3dm5e-cp2yn-7e937-l36pe-ph9yj-x55ke%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80Mzc2MjYzMTY5NzM3ODgAAR4g6ig8m7T9EZWkY6q54UP-s9JlJipnj_ckIiPO653F6EhIvN13AohyZvzETg_aem_FMXmsBxZ2fcLtymkS7VhZw&h=AUBllhBIQ4L4Iv3c2e9YroDGlreFLqg7K4FQaGYoKfazG0FMTgjJ95tuSLkSwNhQtRSJ6QFgrd4HGxZAXO44EOuNI2WTgr60O2bH-CyFzUQQFrmCpO8rkJOOq6ceL_0&s=1

09/25/2026

Boil Water Advisory Rescinded for the City of West Mineral, Cherokee County

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of West Mineral public water supply system located in Cherokee County. The advisory was issued because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind notice following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing of drinking water samples collected from the City of West Mineral indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at: 620-827-6131 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit our webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service.

When a public water supply system experiences a disruption in service there are precautions that consumers may need to take during and after the incident.

09/25/2026

🚨 BOIL WATER ADVISORY — CHEROKEE COUNTY RWD 4 🚨

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for Cherokee County Rural Water District 4, effective September 25, 2026. The advisory was issued after an equipment malfunction caused a loss of water pressure.

Until further notice, customers should:

* Boil water for one minute before drinking or using it to prepare food, or use bottled water.
* Throw away ice cubes and do not use ice from automatic ice makers.
* If tap water looks dirty, run it until it clears.
* To disinfect dishes and food-contact surfaces, soak them for at least one minute in clean tap water mixed with one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon.
* Bathing water generally does not need to be boiled. Keep children from swallowing it. People with cuts or severe rashes may want to consult their physician.

The advisory will remain in effect until the conditions that put the system at risk are resolved. Only KDHE can rescind the advisory, after testing at a certified laboratory. Follow KDHE and water-system updates for notice that the advisory has been lifted.

Questions? Contact Cherokee County RWD 4 at 620-429-1006 or KDHE at 785-296-5514. Consumer information: KDHE Disruption in Water Service⁠

Restaurants and other food establishments can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture Food Safety & Lodging Program at [email protected] or 785-564-6767.