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

MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release UPDATED!

January 1, 2007

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

NOTE: additional information and also changes contact number due to our inability to get to the office today.

KIOWA COUNTY LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS CAN CALL DEM OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE

   (EADS, COLORADO) Kiowa County livestock producers who will need assistance getting feed to their animals are being asked to call Elaine Lindholm director of the local Division of Emergency Management office at 719-688-3067. The county is compiling a list of affected producers in order to help prioritize clearing the most critically needed roads, and coordinate potential assistance from the State of Colorado in transporting animal feed.
   After consulting with Agriculture Commissioner Don Ament, Colorado Governor Bill Owens has given approval to assist producers with feeding operations by providing air drops and road clearing assistance however the state continues to give priority to live-saving operations for humans. Producers should be prepared to supply their own feed supplies since assistance may be limited to transportation needs. 
   Producers who are able to take feed to their livestock are asked to exercise caution and avoid situations the could lead to vehicles getting stuck as rescue crews are currently responding to numerous areas and may not be able to reach newly-stranded vehicles for an extended amount of time.
   County crews have begun clearing roads however progress may be slow in some areas due to drifted snow. Crews were on standby and responding only to emergencies during the storm over the past few days since roads were blowing shut nearly as quickly as they could be cleared.
   The Kiowa County Commissioners declared a local disaster Friday due to the effects of the blizzard on the area. The towns of Eads, Haswell have also declared disasters.
   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 2007-01-01 1047 – Updated release – Also available electronically at www.kiowaoem.com