Update 12:40 p.m. Tuesday, May 27: The Ellis County Public Works Department has issued the following public service announcement.
The Ellis County Public Works Department is advising that due to recent rainfall, many unpaved Ellis County roads have become difficult to travel at this time.
In some cases, there are roads that are impassable which has forced our department to close those locations for travel until further notice.
We are asking that only absolute necessary travel of unpaved roads in Ellis County be undertaken during these unfortunate conditions of our county road system.
If you must travel unpaved roads, please slow down, use caution and be aware of current road conditions before making any travel plans.
Your cooperation on this matter is truly appreciated.
If you have any questions on current road conditions or wish to report a road issue, contact the Ellis County Public Works department at 785-628-9455. If you encounter a road related emergency, contact Ellis County Dispatch at 785-625-1011.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Ellis County is dealing with flood damage from a storm that dumped heavy rains and hail on the area Wednesday.
Darin Myers, county emergency management director, said some roads are still covered in water and impassable as of today.
Crews are still putting up barriers in dangerous areas across the county, he said.
He warned drivers not to pass barriers or try to drive on flooded roads.
Although the road's surface may look passible, the road may be washed out underneath the road surface and could collapse under the weight of a vehicle.
Hays received 2.62 inches of rain, as reported at the K-State Ag Research Center. Hail stones as large as baseballs were reported in the city of Hays.
More rain is in the forecast for this weekend. With the holiday weekend approaching, it could be days or longer before damage on county roads can be addressed.
Rain and thunderstorms are likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Saturday. New rainfall amounts could be between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. Expect higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
The forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of rain Sunday and 90 percent chance of rain Sunday night. New rainfall amounts could be less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Chance of rain on Memorial Day is 70 percent with more rain possible on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Myers said most of the damage from Wednesday's storm centered in an oval in the center of the county from Yocemento to Catherine and west to Munjor.
Spotters reported two tornadoes briefly touching down in the county, but Myers said he has had no reports of any damage to structures.
Law enforcement reported several vehicle slide-offs during the storm and a rollover at the Victoria exit of Interstate 70.
No serious injuries were reported.
Myers said that four sheriff's deputies' vehicles that were being used by officers storm spotting had damage to windshields.
Broken windows and windshields as a result of hail have been reported across the county.
Myers said skylights were broken in some county buildings. The full extent of the damage to county property, including damage to roofs, is yet to be assessed.
Myers said he was appreciative of all the work of first responders during the storm, as they were able to identify dangerous conditions even before the weather service issued a tornado warning for the county.
This allowed storm sirens to be sounded early in Hays and surrounding communities, giving people more time to seek shelter from the storm.