Latest news with #JulieStimson
India Today
6 days ago
- Climate
- India Today
Deadly floods and tornado hit Texas, Kansas; dozens rescued in storm chaos
Severe weather swept through the central United States this week, bringing heavy rain, flash flooding, and at least one confirmed responders in Dallas, Kansas, and Missouri were activated as extreme weather created hazardous roadways and flooded Man Dies in Flooded Underpass According to Associated Press, a Dallas man died on Wednesday when his car became trapped in floodwaters under an Interstate 635 bridge. Two vehicles were trapped under the bridge, and one driver was rescued, while Dallas Fire-Rescue responders later found the second victim's body. His identity was not released by Rescued in Kansas Flash FloodsFirefighters in and around Wichita, Kansas, conducted about 70 water rescues after heavy rain. Parts of Sedgwick County saw as much as seven inches of rain between Monday and Tuesday, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Robb County's emergency management director, Julie Stimson, urged people not to try to drive through areas that are flooded. "Turn around, don't drown," she said. Rescue workers used boats to assist stranded Overflow and Streets Flood in El DoradoAbout 30 miles east of Wichita, El Dorado experienced severe flooding when the Walnut River overflowed. Resident Michelle Yerge described fleeing waist-deep waters: 'We were pretty much swimming to get out,' she told local Touches Down Near Kansas CityA tornado touched down in Independence, Missouri, on Tuesday, destroying a tractor-trailer and property adjacent to the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals stadiums. Weather service crews were checking to see if the twister also touched down at the stadium complex itself. No serious injuries were Governor Laura Kelly issued a disaster emergency, mobilising state assistance. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers' NBA Finals travel was delayed by heavy rain, forcing their plane to be diverted due to adverse was short-lived, with forecasters warning that waterlogged ground could lead to renewed flooding even with light rainfall in the days ahead.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
1 dead after severe weather tears through central US, including flooding in Texas and Kansas
DALLAS (AP) — One person has died after severe weather tore through parts of the central U.S., including heavy rain in Dallas, a tornado that touched down in the Kansas City area and flash flooding in Kansas that forced firefighters to rescue dozens of people, including stranded motorists. A Dallas man died Wednesday after his vehicle became stuck in high water, authorities said. He was in one of two cars submerged under a bridge on Interstate 635, the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department said. Dallas police said officers were able to rescue one driver, and the body of the other driver was recovered by Dallas-Fire Rescue. In and around Wichita in south-central Kansas, firefighters made about 70 water rescues after heavy rains caused flash flooding, Robb Lawson, a local National Weather Service meteorologist said. Sedgwick County's emergency management director, Julie Stimson, said at a briefing Tuesday night that the county had received anywhere from 1 1/2 inches to 7 inches (4 centimeters to 18 centimeters) of rain since Monday. She warned motorists who run into flooded areas not to drive around barricades or emergency vehicles, and to turn around instead. The Wichita Fire Department used boats to rescue several motorists trapped in their cars. While the water sometimes reached windshield height, some people still attempted to drive through it. 'We have to put ourselves in danger with our life jackets and our boats to get them into a life jacket and into a boat to get them out of the water,' Fire Capt. Lance Diffenbaugh told KSN-TV. 'So there's no sense in it if they can just turn around and wait 10 minutes for the water to go down.' About 30 miles (48 kilometers) east, the torrential rainfall caused the Walnut River to overflow, flooding several streets in El Dorado and sending people scrambling for safety. 'By the time we got most of the stuff out of there and were going to get the last few things, it was already up to our waist, and we were pretty much swimming to get out,' resident Michelle Yerge told KAKE-TV. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued a disaster emergency declaration to enable state agencies to provide assistance. Severe storms slammed the Kansas City area on Tuesday, with high winds toppling a tractor-trailer on Interstate 435, overturning portable toilets and barriers at the complex where the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals have side-by-side stadiums, and downing trees. The weather service warned of a tornado and urged people to take cover as rain battered the area. No major damage was reported. Brad Temeyer, a weather service meteorologist, said a tornado touched down in Independence, Missouri, which is northeast of the Chiefs' and Royals' complex. He said a weather service survey team was working in the area Wednesday to determine whether that twister hit the sports complex first, or whether a tornado touched down there. Severe weather on Tuesday also disrupted the Indiana Pacers' travel plans to the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City, where heavy rain and wind interrupted airport arrivals and departures. The team's charter was first diverted to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The plane then took a scenic route around another band of weather before finally landing in Oklahoma City about 3 1/2 hours behind schedule. Wednesday's forecast for Kansas called for dry conditions, but more storms were forecast for Thursday. Officials warned that the soil in the area is saturated and even an inch or two of rainfall could lead to localized flooding. 'We're kind of staying in somewhat of a wet, kind of cool, pattern for the next several days,' Lawson said in an interview with AP Radio. ___ ___
Time of India
6 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Watch: Flash flooding in Kansas leaves vehicles submerged
Heavy rains led to flash floods in the Wichita area of Kansas, a state in the US. Emergency rescue teams rescued dozens of people, including drivers who were stuck in their cars. Julie Stimson, Sedgwick County's emergency management director, said the county received between 1.5 to 7 inches (4 to 18 cm) of rain since Monday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She warned drivers not to go around flood barricades or emergency vehicles. Kansas governor Laura Kelly issued a disaster emergency declaration to allow state agencies to provide assistance. The Wichita fire department used boats to rescue people from flooded vehicles. Some cars were nearly underwater, but drivers still tried to pass through the dangerous areas. We have to put ourselves in danger with our life jackets and our boats to get them into a life jacket and into a boat to get them out of the water,' said fire captain Lance Diffenbaugh to KSN-TV. 'So there's no sense in it if they can just turn around and wait 10 minutes for the water to go down', Diffenbaugh added. Flooding in Kansas leads to rescues, evacuations A few roads remained closed on Wednesday morning. About 30 miles (48 km) east, in El Dorado, a city in Kansas, the Walnut River overflowed, flooding streets and homes. One resident, Michelle Yerge told KAKE-TV, 'By the time we got most of the stuff out of there and were going to get the last few things, it was already up to our waist, and we were pretty much swimming to get out.' Severe storms also hit Kansas City on Tuesday. Strong winds overturned a truck on Interstate 435, blew over portable toilets and barriers near the stadiums, and knocked down trees. The national weather service issued a tornado warning, but no serious damage was reported. The bad weather also delayed the Indiana Pacers' flight to the NBA finals in Oklahoma City. The plane had to land in Tulsa first and take a longer route, arriving 3.5 hours late due to storms. Wednesday's forecast for Kansas showed dry weather, but more rain is expected on Thursday. Officials warned as the city has already received severe rainfall, therefore, even small amounts of rain could cause massive flooding.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
After flash flooding, what's next for Wichita's weather? Plus how much rain fell
It was a busy day Tuesday for first responders in Wichita and Sedgwick County after torrential rainwater flooded streets, stalled cars and seeped into basements. The National Weather Service Wichita office is still gathering rainfall reports but had some preliminary amounts Tuesday night. The agency measured 2.94 inches of rainfall at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. The greatest amount in its 26-county coverage area was 6.21 inches at Beech Factory Airport in east Wichita, NWS meteorologist James Cuellar said. 'It's not often we get into a flash flood emergency. It is very rare, but it means that we have a lot of roadways that are flooding. A lot of them will have a current to them, and we don't want people driving,' Sedgwick County Emergency Management Director Julie Stimson said at a news conference Tuesday evening. 'Currently, the rain has stopped in Sedgwick County, and the waters are quickly receding. The drainage systems are working the way we want them to work but there are areas that have experienced significant flooding.' 'It was just a riptide': Wichita man videotapes rescue from stalled car during flood Stimson reminded drivers to not go around barricades or emergency vehicles blocking flooded streets. Gov. Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency 'due to heavy rainfall impacting portions of the state with the potential of flooding and flash flooding,' a state news release said. The declaration allows local governments to use state assistance and resources during the flooding. Sedgwick County also declared a state of local disaster emergency. From midnight to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received 119 calls for water rescue, with 95 of them between noon and 4 p.m., 911 director Elora Forshee said. Multiple roads that had closed earlier have been reopened. Some county roads that remain closed include Meridian from 109th to 117th, Seneca between 69th and 77th streets north and 127th Street east between 29th and 37th, Sedgwick County Director Public Works and County Engineer Lynn Packer said. Township roads that remain closed include 117th Street between Meridian and Seneca, Seneca between 125th and 117th streets north and 109th between Meridian and West streets, Packer added. The Kansas Department of Transportation is also warning drivers traveling on U.S. 54 that flooding has affected multiple ramps eastbound and westbound. 'While no ramps are currently closed due to floodwater overtaking the ramps, conditions can change rapidly,' a KDOT news release said. 'Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time, use alternate routes when possible.' No rain is expected Wednesday, a detailed NWS forecast shows. The day should be sunny with a high of 76 degrees and a low of 61. Off-and-on chances for showers and thunderstorms are expected Thursday into the weekend, NWS meteorologist William Iwasko said. But the heaviest rain fell Tuesday. The Red Cross will be in Wichita to assist anyone that was affected or displaced by the floods. Shelters are set up at Griffith Elementary at 1802 S. Bluff. Residents can call (800) 733-2767 to reach the Red Cross to see what resources are available. Wichita man videotapes rescue from stalled car during flood
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Excellence in Public Service Award recipients honored
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The 2025 Excellence in Public Service Award winners were recognized at a reception on Wednesday, May 14, in Lotus Hall at Botanica. The three 2025 winners are: Julie Stimson, Emergency Management Director, Sedgwick County Shanna Zimmerman, Marketing Teacher, Wichita High School East, and Detective Robert K. Chisholm Jr, City of Wichita. The honorees were selected from thousands of eligible workers from Sedgwick County, Wichita Public Schools, and the City of Wichita. Each honoree will receive a $3,000 check courtesy of the DeVore Foundation. KSN Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman was the emcee for the event. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
