Wichita metro area under flood warning. Here's how much rain has fallen, forecast
Shortly after 5 p.m., the Kansas Department of Transportation said drivers on Kellogg in Wichita should 'be aware that flooding has impacted multiple ramps in eastbound and westbound directions.' No ramps were closed, but KDOT said conditions could change rapidly.
Just before 5, the National Weather service issued an updated flood warning effective until 11 p.m. for Wichita, Derby, El Dorado, Andover, Haysville, Augusta, Park City, Valley Center, Bel Aire, Goddard, Rose Hill, Maize, Towanda, Colwich, Benton, Kechi and Eastborough. The weather service initially issued at flood warning at 10 a.m. and later added a flash flood warning for southeastern Sedgwick County until 5:45 p.m.
'At 133 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 3 and 4inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for along and east of I-135 in downtown Wichita into East Wichita. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!' the warning said.
Areas that could have flash flooding include Wichita, Andover, Haysville, Bel Aire, Eastborough, east Wichita, McConnell Air Force Base, northeast Wichita, south Wichita, Jabara Airport and Oaklawn.
In late morning, Valley Center Police chief Lloyd Newman said that officers and firefighters were out responding to stalled cars, and that a majority of the city's streets were flooded. He urged residents to not go out in their vehicles.
'Water's backed up on probably a majority of our streets, certainly on the east side of town,' Newman said over the phone. 'I think the storm drains are just having trouble keeping up with this amount of rain.'
Over the past 12 hours, Valley Center had received 4.37 inches of rainfall, with 3.24 inches of that picked up over a three-hour period, National Weather Service Wichita meteorologist William Iwasko said at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
During the same time period, Wichita saw 0.96 inches of rainfall and minimal flooding.
Just southeast of Valley Center, Park City closed off Broadway in front of 81 Speedway and south of 77th street because of high water, the city said in a social media post.
'Please be aware of the high water throughout the city, and do not drive into it,' the city said.
Wednesday should offer a break from the rain with a sunny high between 73 and 77 degrees. Off-and-on chances for showers and thunderstorms will persist Thursday and into the weekend, but Iwakso said the heaviest rainfall was expected to end Tuesday.
'Tomorrow [Wednesday] during the daylight hours will be beautiful,' Iwasko said.
Riverfest delayed Tuesday's events and activities due to the weather, but is updating festival-goers on its social platforms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Southern California firefighters, first responders prepare for elevated fire danger amid sweltering heat
Firefighters and first responders are taking proactive steps as sweltering heat descends on Southern California this week, hoping to gain an advantage over the elevated fire danger. "It's always a worry, especially living here in the foothills," said Barry Shimauchi, who lives in Azusa, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. "September, August, things start to dry out and then you get that late kind of heat wave." The incoming heat, which will bring triple-digit temperatures to much of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, is potentially the worst of the year, leading National Weather Service officials to issue red flag fire conditions for specific areas. In response, the California Office of Emergency Services has also sent extra resources to the area. "This includes fire engines, firefighters, bulldozers, helicopters," said Cal OES State Fire Rescue Chief Brian Marshall. "It gives them a better opportunity to contain the fire when it's small, so we don't have a big disaster." He says that the department has been deploying and prepositioning resources ahead of fire weather events for five years now. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also announced that extra local resources were being pre-deployed in high-risk areas like Woodland Hills, Northridge and Sunland. "For months, LAFD has been actively conducting brush inspections and brush clearance," Bass said during the news conference. CalOES officials encourage residents to have wildfire action plans ready and to sign up for local emergency alerts.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Dangerous heat descends on California and the Southwest, raising wildfire risk
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A dangerous heat wave descended on much of California and the U.S. Southwest, with triple-digit temperatures expected along with a higher risk of wildfires. Officials opened cooling centers this week in Los Angeles, where residents are warned to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state firefighting resources deployed in areas where blazes could ignite. Here's what you need to know. Sizzling hot The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for Southern California starting Wednesday into the weekend. If outdoor activities can't be avoided, forecasters say, they should be moved to early morning hours. And everyone should hydrate. Downtown Los Angeles was forecast to reach 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius), while valleys to the north braced for temperatures as high as 108 F (42 C). It will be several degrees hotter in desert areas. Candice Catlett, who uses a wheelchair, rolled herself toward some shade as temperatures started spiking Tuesday in downtown LA. 'It's sizzling hot out here,' Catlett said. 'I have sunblock. Hopefully, I can find some cold water. I'm trying to stay out of the direct sun.' Further north, nearly-always-hot Death Valley could see a severe 120 F (49 C), the weather service said. In Arizona, the peak of the heat wave will hit Thursday and Friday, with the mercury possibly reaching 110 F (43 C) in the southern and western parts of the state. Similar temperatures were likely in Las Vegas. Fire risk Red flag warnings, signaling elevated wildfire danger, have been issued across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties until Saturday. 'If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned to your local emergency officials,' the weather service said in a statement. The state has sent 10 fire engines and multiple firefighting teams to LA County to assist local agencies if blazes break out. 'By prepositioning firefighting crews, equipment, and other resources in high-risk areas, we can respond faster and more effectively when needed," said Nancy Ward, director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. In the Sierra Nevada, higher than normal temperatures, low humidity and the possibility of lightning storms will contribute to the fire risk. California's largest blaze this year, the Gifford Fire, reached 95% containment Tuesday after charring nearly 206 square miles (534 square kilometers) of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties since erupting on Aug. 1. The cause is under investigation.
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Associated Press
Dangerous heat descends on California and the Southwest, raising wildfire risk
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A dangerous heat wave descended on much of California and the U.S. Southwest, with triple-digit temperatures expected along with a higher risk of wildfires. Officials opened cooling centers this week in Los Angeles, where residents are warned to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state firefighting resources deployed in areas where blazes could ignite. Here's what you need to know. Sizzling hot The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for Southern California starting Wednesday into the weekend. If outdoor activities can't be avoided, forecasters say, they should be moved to early morning hours. And everyone should hydrate. Downtown Los Angeles was forecast to reach 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius), while valleys to the north braced for temperatures as high as 108 F (42 C). It will be several degrees hotter in desert areas. Candice Catlett, who uses a wheelchair, rolled herself toward some shade as temperatures started spiking Tuesday in downtown LA. 'It's sizzling hot out here,' Catlett said. 'I have sunblock. Hopefully, I can find some cold water. I'm trying to stay out of the direct sun.' Further north, nearly-always-hot Death Valley could see a severe 120 F (49 C), the weather service said. In Arizona, the peak of the heat wave will hit Thursday and Friday, with the mercury possibly reaching 110 F (43 C) in the southern and western parts of the state. Similar temperatures were likely in Las Vegas. Fire risk Red flag warnings, signaling elevated wildfire danger, have been issued across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties until Saturday. 'If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned to your local emergency officials,' the weather service said in a statement. The state has sent 10 fire engines and multiple firefighting teams to LA County to assist local agencies if blazes break out. 'By prepositioning firefighting crews, equipment, and other resources in high-risk areas, we can respond faster and more effectively when needed,' said Nancy Ward, director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. In the Sierra Nevada, higher than normal temperatures, low humidity and the possibility of lightning storms will contribute to the fire risk. California's largest blaze this year, the Gifford Fire, reached 95% containment Tuesday after charring nearly 206 square miles (534 square kilometers) of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties since erupting on Aug. 1. The cause is under investigation.
