Junction City Post

JUNCTION CITY –Flood waters streamed through a portion of the Rock Spring 4-H Center complex on Sunday as a result of the heavy rains that moved through the region.

Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges reported one of the campers attending a renaissance style festival was trapped in an area surrounded by water. “There was a group of about 150-200 people camping in the Wa Shun Ga area.  Due to the rising water most of them made it to higher ground on the north side of that area. This subject was sleeping on a shelter on the south side and couldn’t get back over to where everyone else was.”  Berges added the Independence, Missouri man was not injured.

“He actually was able to get up.  Rock Springs authorities picked him up on the other side and kept him up on top.

A tributary of Lyons Creek flooded, causing problems. Berges estimated it was 75 to 100 yards wide at one point.

“Many of the campers were participating in the renaissance type festival in the Washunga area were staying in tents. “Many of them lost their tents or their tents were inundated with water coming through there, because it came so fast. But they were all able to get up out of the area prior to the water coming. They just couldn’t get all their stuff.”

On a separate note there was damage to bridges on the roads leading into the top end of the Rock Springs 4-H Center in the loop area where cabins are located.  Berges stated one low water bridge was impassable, and the other bridge was covered with water and lost some cross planks. About 150 people participating in a Salvation Army meeting were participating in a meeting in that area.  He noted they were safe but couldn’t get out of the area. Berges also added Rock Springs officials were working with Dickinson County Road and Bridge personnel on the bridge problems.