A Trip to Colorado and a Timely Stop
Last week, Makayla and I ventured west for an extra-long weekend in Colorado to visit Makayla’s brother and his fiancée. The 8-9 hour drive out and back isn’t too shabby! The time we spend together makes it more than worth it (pictures here).
On our way back, we stopped in Topeka for a bite to eat before finishing that last hour of the 9+ hour trip. What we didn’t know at the time was that the stop saved us from driving right into the storm that hit Monday evening (4/13). As we traveled south on 75 HWY, we hit a torrential downpour–so heavy that we stopped under an overpass south of Carbondale. We began checking the weather on our phones to see how long the rain would last, and quickly saw that Franklin County was in a tornado warning (not a watch, big difference). Soon after that, reports of a tornado touching down east of Pomona were reported. It was a huge blessing that we stopped for 20 minutes to eat; otherwise, we would have been in Pomona right around touchdown (tornado path and stats here). For the next two hours, we sat and waited, looking on and praying that our town and its people would be safe.
The Tornado
Having grown up in the Midwest my whole life, I have never been in such close proximity to a tornado, or even had anyone in our family be affected by one. As an OU student, I had many friends and teammates from other states and countries bring up the Wizard of Oz, noting Kansas’ identity as tornado country. I always sort of blew it off, stating that the chances of being hit by one seemed unrealistic. Well, this week, that prediction was completely wrong. Thankfully, those who plan and prepare for moments like this did not take these threats lightly. As a result, our emergency response unit was primed and ready to respond. Tornado sirens and phone alerts did their job, and as a result, no serious injuries were sustained throughout the event—though it did plenty of damage to structures, utilities, and the emotional well-being of our residents (pictures here).
Along with the preparation and execution of the emergency process, the response time of public safety, evacuation, streets, and utilities all worked at maximum efficiency to make the post-emergency process as good as possible. It was shared that 90% of Ottawa’s population lost power the night of the tornado. Within 40 hours after the event, 97% of homes had power restored. Testimonies from public works stated that on Tuesday morning, Orchard Heights (possibly the most affected neighborhood in Ottawa) looked like a war zone. By Tuesday evening, nearly every bit of debris, fallen trees, and evidence of destruction (outside the dilapidated structures) had been removed. By Wednesday evening, all streets in town had been cleared and were safe for travel. These outcomes were a result of planning, extremely hardworking public servants, and an outpouring of community support.
Along with hundreds of citizens helping one another, our neighboring communities stepped in to support. There were a dozen outside law enforcement agencies in Ottawa on Tuesday and Wednesday, and dozens of linemen from surrounding communities showed up to restore power lines. The picture that was painted is one that is easy to spot after travesty—much like a rainbow forming after a storm. Citizens from all over came together, showing the kind of support that exists so often, but oftentimes gets trampled by negativity. Though there's still plenty of work to be done, I’ve stopped several times to take in many of these moments, soaking in the kind of unity that's been on display throughout town over the last four days.
Post-Emergency
Here we are, four days after the event. For those of us who were not directly impacted, normalcy begins to creep in. For those affected, there's plenty left to do before everything feels like it did Monday morning before the storm. Attached is a resource guide that our staff produced on Tuesday for those affected (resource guide here). A few things this doesn’t mention are that Convoy of Hope dropped off supplies (trash bags, totes, tarps, rakes, etc.). Though many supplies have been distributed, the remaining supplies can be picked up at Hope House. If you were severely impacted, you may also be eligible for property tax relief (more info here). For those who have fallen limbs, those can be dropped off at the west parking lot of Orlis Cox. Debris outside of limbs can be dropped off for free at the Franklin County Transfer Station and Landfill this week.
A PSA worth remembering: if damage has been done to your property, be wary of door knockers and cold calls. Using trusted contractors can be the difference between getting taken care of and getting poor results, or worse, getting scammed. The City of Ottawa Community Development department maintains a list of licensed contractors, available upon request (email here). Even in times like these, looking local not only supports our community businesses but also is often a trusted source with a grounded reputation and ongoing communication channels. Oftentimes, your insurance agents will have referral lists, and the Chamber is always a resource for vetting businesses. Stay safe out there! There are plenty of predatory businesses on the prowl.
If there was ever a time to begin planning your emergency process, today would be the day! With potential hazardous weather conditions over the weekend, thinking through how to keep you and your family safe is a top priority. Don’t start this weekend without a plan in place!
Ways to Give Back
If you are one of the many people who would like to give back, here are a few ways to do so. From a monetary standpoint, Hope House and United Way of Franklin County are two excellent sources for donations (Hope House and United Way). They use these dollars to directly assist those in need in our community. If you are interested in getting your hands dirty, there is a great opportunity on Saturday morning (event page here). Starting at 17th and Main, volunteers will be utilized to pick up the debris located directly behind the Knights Inn from 8am-2pm. As always, looking out for and checking in with your neighbors is a great way to care for those in need. Keep up the good work, Ottawa!
Chamber After Hours for PrimeTime Grille
Yesterday evening, PrimeTime Grille and Fusion Alley hosted their biannual Chamber After Hours. This includes hearing about upcoming events, meeting new and existing staff, and trying out their new spring menu (pictures here). The opportunity to try these new items is quite exclusive, with the full new menu still not available for another couple of weeks. Let me tell you, it’s worth the wait! Full-size pizzas, fettuccine alfredo, new salads, Salisbury steak, sweet potatoes, and more.
We were also reminded of the extremely popular 1st and 3rd Wednesday trivia nights. Derek Chappell does a great job coming up with relatable topics, which result in easy, free, and fun entertainment. A new program started last year by PTG investor Betty Birzer, which makes the restaurant a Home Team Sponsor for the Kansas City Royals. This title includes watch parties, giveaways, and more. Stay tuned to their social media, where they’ll post these activities and others as the year moves along.
Along with being a great place to eat and play, this is also the location of the 2026 State Champions for both OHS boys and girls bowling. A massive accomplishment by some extremely talented students. Another example of how this establishment has impacted our community by creating the opportunity for this pastime and a new high school sport. I imagine this is the first of many! Go Cyclones,
Recognizing Students Who Make a Quiet Impact
I jetted over to Westminster Presbyterian Church following the After Hours for the annual Franklin County Optimists Unsung Heroes awards (pictures here). This award goes to high school students nominated by their faculty/staff. Students who receive this award are those who are often out of the limelight, maybe not the best athletes or top scorers on the ACT, but students who have an impact on their peers, classrooms, and respective high schools. A dozen students were recognized last night from OHS, Wellsville, and West Franklin. Throughout the award presentation, students heard nominations written about them from their teachers and mentors. It is easy to leave this presentation with a positive attitude, as these students make you very proud of this upcoming generation. Nomination after nomination talked about students looking out for one another and shining in ways that shape the district's culture. I’m always appreciative of the work that the Franklin Optimists put forth, and this program is a perfect example of how they support youth in our community.
Understanding Campus-Community Dynamics
It has almost been a full year since JieJie started with the Chamber as our Community Liaison. A role created in partnership with Ottawa University, acting as a communicator between the community and the campus. One very exciting process that has been in the works for several months now is the start of a research project between these two factions. With the help of Comms professor Dr. Jordie Smith, they have worked to develop a doctoral-level plan to address the barriers, successes, and opportunities that exist between the university and the community. In the most dumbed-down way possible to describe this process, it looks like gathering students and community members, having them chat about these topics, diving into their responses, and uncovering meaningful takeaways to reflect on and grow. Last night, this process began!
There were three focus groups, each with a diverse mix of citizens and students. A dozen or more questions were posed, allowing participants to speak freely about their interpretations and experiences. Without going through the responses, anecdotally, it seems to confirm much of what we understand already—there is a divide between our local university and the community at large. But without jumping the gun, the next step is to pore over this content, follow the process, and ultimately reach an academic conclusion. A huge shoutout to Dr. Smith, who has come alongside JieJie for this project. His guidance has allowed this to go from some impromptu conversations to something much more formal, rooted in his experience. I look forward to sharing more about this project as it comes along!
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Our community is not out of the clear yet from Mother Nature. Check out Emergency Management’s report here (view that here). Stay safe out there and talk to you soon,
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
