Contamination, Flood Damage Cause More Problems for Kansas Citizens
Coffeyville Community College Phi Theta Kappa chapter members in Kansas
are coming to together to help their town recently damaged by flooding and
an oil spill caused by floodwaters. Destroyed homes, businesses and concern
over contamination have plagued the community since the floodwaters receded
a few days ago.
Massive flooding has been widespread over the
plains area since the beginning of summer. In the states of Texas and Kansas
towns have been completely destroyed and lives have been lost. Oklahoma
has started to receive torrential rains with rivers and lakes already filled
to their capacity.
An oil spill from a local refinery in Coffeyville
caused more problems for residents who already dealing with flooded homes
and businesses. For fear of contamination, people were not allowed back
into their homes until recently.
Coffeyville Community College
chapter advisor Pamela
Howe says 300 to 350 homes and 70 businesses were affected. Nearly
2,000 residents have also been displaced by the devastation.
Howe
says some college staff and two Phi Theta Kappa chapter members have lost
everything. To her knowledge, the college did not receive much damage even
though the baseball and softball fields were under water.
The
chapter is helping residents by collecting monetary donations. Howe says
if chapters are interested in helping flood victims they may contact her
directly. Pictures of the devastation are available online
for viewing.
(Contact Publications Administrative Assistant
Allison Hendrix
about this story.)
