Kansas is bracing for a long wet weekend as Hurricane Ike makes its way up the midwest.
    Showers and embedded thunderstorms are expected Saturday and will shift into South Central and Southeast Kansas, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy rain will continue to be possibility with the remnant of Ike expected to move from East Texas into the Mid-Mississippi Valley from Saturday night into Sunday. Residents are urged to watch for heavy rainfall and flooding, the NWS said.
    Starting early Friday morning, local law enforcement reported water over numerous roads and bridges and scanner traffic with similar concerns has yet to cease.
    Flood warnings have also been issued for the Arkansas River at Oxford and Arkansas City, the NWS reports. At 7 a.m. Friday, the stage was at 13.1 feet, with flood stage occurring at 17 feet. By Sunday morning, the Arkansas River should fall below flood stage, though those with low lying agricultural fields north of the gage site will flood, the NWS said.
    Fields around the County have already started to fill with water, and more than likely will continue to fill as rain continues through the weekend.
    Various roads are shut down throughout the County and even events have suffered from Mother Nature’s wrath.
    Campers ready for music and revelry at the Walnut Valley Festival at the Winfield Fairgrounds were under mandatory evacuation Friday morning.
    A flood watch remains in effect for all of Sumner County through Saturday afternoon. Several rounds of moderate to heavy showers and embedded thunderstorms will affect the County and surrounding areas.
    NWS forecasters are predicting anywhere from 3 to 6 inches with isolated amounts of 8 inches. Excessive runoff and flooding is expected.
    Sumner County Sheriff Gerald Gilkey said deputies have been working the highways and “it’s been a mess.”
    “They have been running pretty much none stop this morning since people are driving into high water and by accidents caused by water,” said Gilkey.
    The sheriff said he anticipated a busy weekend for his department due to the weather.
    “I think people need to realize water is an issue that creates a unique situation where they need to drive slower and to be smarter,” he said.
    County roads won’t be closed off as quickly as they should due to the overwhelming need of transportation officials, Gilkey said, so commuters need to take care.
    “If you see high water across the road — don’t drive into it — find an alternate route.” the sheriff said.
    Sumner County Emergency Management Director James Fair said the County has been in order for the most part but he and the department are waiting to see where Ike strikes.
    “I think a lot of it is going to be how Hurricane Ike tracks as it hits land,” he said. “Right now I don’t think anyone could make a good guess at it.”
    Fair urges residents to monitor weather updates through TV and weather radios and to stay out of high water areas.
    “That’s all people can do right now...and hope for the best.” Fair said.