Kiowa County Division of Emergency Management
Elaine Lindholm, Director
1305 Goff Street
Eads, CO 80136
719-438-2288

MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release

December 29, 2006

For more information contact
Kiowa County Division of Emergency Management
Chris Sorensen, Public Information Officer
719-688-1976 (cell, not for public release) or chris@kiowaoem.com

KIOWA COUNTY SEEKS SMALL FEED BALES

   (EADS, COLORADO) Kiowa County is seeking area producers who have small square feed bales available for sale. Producers are being added to a master list in case feed bales need to be air lifted to livestock once blizzard conditions subside. Purchases are not yet being made – the county is only assembling a list at this time.
   Producers with small bales available for sale should contact the Kiowa County Division of Emergency Management office at 719-438-2288 and leave a message with their name and contact information, which will be made available to local livestock producers who will need to make their own arrangements for payment and shipment.
   Earlier today, the Kiowa County Commissioners declared a local disaster due to the ongoing blizzard conditions, which are expected to continue through Sunday morning.
   Virtually all area roads are either officially or effectively closed, including Highway 287 from Lamar to Limon, due to the storm that began early this morning and is expected to continue to Sunday. The National Weather Service in Pueblo is predicting blizzard conditions, 19 to 35 inches of snow, and winds gusting to 35 miles per hour. Winds tonight are expected to gust to 55 mph.
Governor Bill Owens has declared a state-wide disaster emergency due to the ongoing blizzard conditions. The Colorado National Guard, which was activated during last week’s blizzard, will remain active to help fight this second onslaught of wintry weather. 
   General information about emergency services is available from the Kiowa County Division of Emergency Management, 719-438-2288, or the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office, 719-438-5411. For immediate emergencies, dial 911.

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Released 2006-12-30, 08:54 – Initial release – Also available electronically at www.kiowaoem.com