Salina Storm after effects

The city of Salina has successfully navigated the challenge posed by a severe thunderstorm on September 17^th. The storm’s powerful winds and lightning caused disruptions to various essential services, including the temporary closure of the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill. The weather from the day can be found here. 

However, the city’s swift response and the dedication of its staff ensured a timely recovery. The landfill has since reopened, and operations have returned to normal. The affected computer systems and scale houses have been restored, allowing residents to resume their regular waste disposal routines.

While the landfill closure caused some inconvenience, the city expressed gratitude for the public’s understanding and patience during the disruption. Additionally, the city commended its staff for their prompt and efficient efforts in addressing the issue. The storm also highlighted the importance of robust public safety infrastructure. The Salina County Public Safety Answering Point was temporarily disabled due to the storm’s impact, necessitating a contingency plan. The city successfully redirected 911 calls to Dickinson County, ensuring uninterrupted emergency services.

“In the event 911 were to fail there are several options,” said Wayne Pruitt, Salina Police Department Communications Supervisor. “We have a Memorandum of Agreement that they (Dickinson County) will answer our 911 calls and then call us on the radio…or call our admin phone lines.”

KWU SafeZone

Beyond the immediate storm response, Salina’s commitment to campus safety is evident. Kansas Wesleyan University, a prominent institution within the city, employs the SafeZone app to enhance student security. This innovative app offers a range of feature designed to protect students, including the recently added “check-in timer”

Spencer Parker, Head of Campus Security, stated “Our goal is to create a safe environment, the SafeZone app is a valuable tool for our students.”

The check-in timer allows students to initiate an alert to campus security if they feel unsafe. If the student’s phone is dropped, the timer will automatically send an emergency notification. This feature provides students with an added layer of protection and peace of mind. More on campus SafeZone and safety/security can be found in the article Improving KWU Campus Security.

Salina’s ability to recover from the storm and its ongoing efforts to prioritize campus safety demonstrate the city’s resilience and dedication to the well-being of its residents and students. The city’s response to the storm serves as a testament to the importance of preparedness and the value of strong public safety infrastructure.