Warning Issued as Floods Threaten to 'Surround' Old School
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A creek in northeastern Kansas will surge roughly 18 feet on Thursday as heavy rain batters the region.
At its peak, the creek is forecast to reach 20 feet, which is just shy of the level where it nearly surrounds the now-closed Easton grade school.
Why It Matters
The flood warning comes as heavy rain has battered parts of the U.S. throughout the first half of July. Over the Independence Day weekend, torrential rain lashed Central Texas, causing deadly floods that killed more than 100 people. Dangerous floods also inundated parts of New Mexico, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic
Flooding is the second-deadliest weather hazard in the U.S., behind extreme heat, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
What to Know
Early Thursday morning, the NWS office in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, which includes the forecast area for parts of northeastern Kansas, extended a flood warning for Stranger Creek in Easton, Kansas. The flooded creek will affect Atchison and Leavenworth counties.
A stock photo of heavy rain.
A stock photo of heavy rain.
FeelPic/Getty
Stranger Creek began rising quickly at around 3 a.m. Thursday morning. As of 10 a.m. Eastern time, the river is at nearly 15 feet and still rising, according to water forecasts from the National Water Prediction Service.
The forecasts anticipate the river will peak at around 20 feet by 8 p.m. on Thursday, which is in the moderate flood stage.
The National Water Prediction Service describes moderate flood stage as "some inundation of structures and roads near stream, evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations."
For Stranger Creek, at 20 feet, "all roads out of Easton except for highway 192 west
of 231st street in Easton are closed," the flood warning said.
At this level, water also covers Millwood Road 3 miles north of Easton, where the water is 6 inches deep across the eastbound lane.
If the creek rises another 1.5 feet, further impacts are expected, including the near-surrounding of the former Easton grade school.
"At 21.5 feet, Most of Easton east of 231st Street floods. A campground in Easton floods. Several homes experience water on the first floor," the flood warning said. "Water nearly surrounds but does not enter the former Easton grade school."
According to Legends of Kansas, the "old Easton Grade School is a one-story pink brick building with metal trim and an overhang over the west façade. It has glass block windows on the west façade, a concrete addition on the south, and a wood addition on the north. The foundation was damaged in the 1993 flood, and the school closed. It is privately owned today. Located at 120 N. 1st Street, it is mainly obscured by trees."
NWS service hydrologist Scott Watson told Newsweek that the NWS is "more confident" that the creek will stay below the level of 21.5 feet, although the flood information is included as a precaution.
He added that there won't be any renewed rises of the creek after it crests overnight.
"It does get into moderate flood quite often," he said. "This is a site that typically floods."
What People Are Saying
NWS Pleasant Hill in a flood warning: "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas."
NWS Pleasant Hill in a hazardous weather outlook: "Areas of heavy rain early this morning. Several inches of rain possible from the KC area eastward along and south of Highway 36. Flash flooding will continue to be a threat through the
morning hours. Rain may continue into the afternoon south of Highway 50."
What Happens Next
National Water Prediction Service forecasts anticipate the river will peak at around 8 p.m. Thursday. Water levels are then expected to fall below flood stage by Friday morning. However, the levels will remain in action stage, in which XXX, until Friday night.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
F1 Belgian Grand Prix Under Threat of Rain
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. According to the weather forecast, the Belgium Grand Prix could be a wet race, potentially throwing chaos into an already hectic race weekend. Spa is known for being a track that is prone to rain, especially during the summer, which makes the current climate projections no surprise. On Saturday, there is a 24 percent chance of rain, according to The Weather Channel, with winds in the 5-10 mph range. Temperatures hover around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. No rain should delay either the sprint race or qualifying, but race day is a different story. Safety car drives on the wet track during the red flag in FP3 ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 27, 2024 in Spa, Belgium. Safety car drives on the wet track during the red flag in FP3 ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 27, 2024 in Spa, Belgium. Photo byFor Sunday, there is an 82 percent chance of rain, with temperatures ranging from around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The winds are expected to be similar to those on Saturday. It is worth noting that Saturday night is expected to have rainfall, which means the track will be wet hours before any racing takes place. The teams and drivers will face tough decisions about whether to use intermediate or wet tires for the start of the race. McLaren driver Lando Norris is already preparing for "tough decisions" that he will need to make with the team. "It could be tricky now because of the rain, so I think you might have to make some more difficult decisions in terms of tyres and things like that," Norris said. "There's always a lot more points on Sunday, so I think most of the focus is always there, but if you're one position higher or lower in the Sprint race, it's not the end of the world. "You'll always take a bit less risk there, but Sunday is the main day." When asked about his record during wet conditions, Norris offered some optimism heading into the race weekend. "I'm British, and maybe that helps. I've had very good races this year in the wet, that's true," Norris added "But all the qualifyings have been in the dry when it's been that scenario, so it's tough. There isn't an easy answer. "I enjoy these conditions still. Maybe never the most fun because it can be quite scary at times, but Spa in the wet is normal, so I'm ready to go." Belgium Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying Results
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Electronics Warning Issued to Hundreds of Thousands
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists issued an alert on Friday urging hundreds of thousands of people to move electronics to higher ground amid coastal flooding triggered by king tides. Newsweek reached out to NWS Honolulu via phone for comment. Why It Matters The NWS office in Honolulu, Hawaii, issued a coastal flood statement for Maui County and the Big Island on Friday, warning the public of minor flooding due to elevated afternoon high tides. The advisory holds significance, as it highlights the vulnerability of local communities—and their property, including electronic devices and vehicles—to the hazards of coastal flooding. Earlier this month, similar advisories were issued in the San Francisco Bay Area, warning people to use caution when traveling near coastal areas. High tide in Maui. High tide in Maui. Francis Joseph Dean/Getty What To Know The NWS issued a minor coastal flooding statement through Friday afternoon for the following areas: portions of Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island. Water levels were observed at approximately half a foot above predicted values, with the trend anticipated to persist into the afternoon before easing by the weekend. The advisory pinpointed risks including localized minor flooding along shorelines, temporary coastal erosion, saltwater inundation and the potential for flooding of typically dry beaches and some low-lying coastal areas. The NWS statement specifically cautioned residents and visitors to protect vulnerable property during potential flood conditions. Key recommendations included moving electronics, vehicles and other valuables to higher ground. The agency also advised drivers to avoid traveling through flooded roadways, and highlighted the importance of rinsing vehicles with fresh water if exposure to salt water occurred. For those managing boats or personal watercraft, it recommended monitoring for over-wash and ensuring vessel mooring lines do not become overtightened due to increased water levels. The advisory emphasized the prompt need for precautionary measures, particularly concerning the safety and potential damage of electronic equipment and vehicles due to saltwater exposure. The NWS also encouraged the public to document and submit coastal flooding observations for scientific research via the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program's King Tides Project. The program is designed to help better understand impacts from sea level rise and other coastal hazards. What People Are Saying NWS Honolulu, in the coastal flood statement: "Avoid driving through flooded roadways. If you are forced to drive through salt water, be sure to rinse your vehicle with fresh water. Move electronics, vehicles or other valuables to higher ground." The King Tides Project, on a webpage: "King Tides, or the highest high tides of the year, are a unique coastal hazard. The timing of these extreme water level events can be anticipated through the use of tidal predictions yet their impacts (e.g., coastal flooding and inundation in low lying areas) can have devastating consequences for coastal inhabitants, particularly when combined with severe weather or high wave events." What Happens Next According to the NWS, water levels are forecast to drop below flood thresholds following the afternoon high tides, likely before the coming weekend. Residents and authorities are expected to remain vigilant, following preparedness guidance until coastal conditions normalize. Should minor flooding persist or intensify, further advisories may be issued by weather authorities.
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Newsweek
Warning Issued as 600,000 in Major City Told to 'Take Immediate' Action
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hundreds of thousands of people in a major Midwestern city were urged to "take immediate precautions to protect life and property" on Friday as heavy rainfall ushered in flash floods. Why it Matters The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning for key parts of Chicago on Friday, urging approximately 600,000 residents to take immediate action to protect life and property. Flash flooding can result in swift and dangerous conditions, causing hazards for motorists and residents, as well as threats to infrastructure in one of the largest cities in the United States. Such warnings are critical for public safety as they alert residents to imminent weather threats and guide appropriate response behaviors. What To Know At 11:43 a.m. Central Daylight Time, the NWS in Chicago issued a flash flood warning for east central Cook County and southeastern DuPage County, covering major portions of Chicago and several surrounding neighborhoods and suburban communities. The warning remains in effect until 2:45 p.m. CDT due to heavy thunderstorms producing significant rainfall in the area. A motorist drives through standing water in a flooded underpass on April 18, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. A motorist drives through standing water in a flooded underpass on April 18, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/Getty According to radar and automated rain gauges, up to 2 inches of rain had already fallen at the time of the alert, with more heavy rain ongoing in the affected zone. Officials warned that flash flooding was either ongoing or expected to begin shortly and could impact creeks, streams, drainage ditches, streets, underpasses, and low-lying or poor-drainage areas. "A Flash Flood Warning means rapid-onset flooding is imminent or may already be occurring," NWS Chicago said in the alert. "Persons along creeks, drainage ditches, and other waterways should take immediate precautions to protect life and property." Locations under the warning include many of Chicago's densely populated neighborhoods and significant infrastructure points such as Midway Airport. Specific neighborhoods and suburbs identified included Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Bridgeport, South Shore, Burbank, Brookfield, Hinsdale, La Grange, Justice, Summit, Burr Ridge, Ashburn, Brighton Park, New City, Auburn Gresham, and Hyde Park. The bulletin emphasized that most flood deaths occur in vehicles and advised people to avoid driving through flooded roadways. In addition to the flash flood warning, a flood watch and flood advisory also were in effect. Rain reports of around 2.77 inches were recorded at the Midway Airport. What People Are Saying NWS meteorologist Casey Sullivan told Newsweek: "As you get into July and August, the steering winds aloft, which is how fast the winds are moving aloft that carry various weather systems through the region, they tend to be lighter. Storms this time of year ... can be slow-moving." A flood watch issued by NWS Chicago: "Slow moving showers and thunderstorms with torrential rainfall will produce locally very heavy rainfall today. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches or more will be possible on a localized basis. This will lead to instances of flash flooding into this afternoon." What Happens Next The heavy rain that caused the floods has moved south and weakened, Sullivan said, but the flash flood warning will remain in effect until 2:45 p.m. Residents in the impacted areas are expected to remain vigilant, follow instructions from emergency officials, and monitor local news and weather advisories for updates. Flash flooding may cause infrastructure damage, disrupt transportation, and result in power outages.
