Latest news with #NationalWaterPredictionService
Newsweek
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Warning Issued as Floods Threaten to 'Surround' Old School
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. 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.
Mint
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Mint
North Carolina floods: Flooding from tropical storm Chantal forces evacuations
Heavy rain and flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal forced dozens of people to flee their homes across central North Carolina, prompting water rescues, road closures, and power outages that continued into Monday. Officials said the Chapel Hill Fire Department and neighboring agencies conducted more than 50 water rescues Sunday and Monday. Many rescues took place in apartment complexes where rising floodwaters entered or threatened to enter homes. In all, more than 60 residents were displaced by the flooding. Additional rescues were carried out at shopping centers as floodwaters inundated businesses and parking lots. As of Monday morning, no injuries had been reported. Authorities urged residents to stay off roads as crews continued assessing damage and searching for missing people. In Orange County, officials issued a voluntary evacuation overnight due to concerns about a possible failure of the Lake Michael Dam. In Chatham County, Sheriff Mike Roberson warned in a social media post that although water had receded in some areas, it remained dangerous to travel. Flooding also forced the closure of all lanes of Interstate 85 and Interstate 40 near Durham. The North Carolina Department of Transportation said the highways were expected to reopen within 24 to 48 hours. According to the National Water Prediction Service, the Eno River crested early Monday in Durham at 25.63 feet (7.81 meters), surpassing the previous record of 23.6 feet (7.19 meters). The Haw River reached 32.5 feet (9.91 meters) at the Town of Haw River, marking the second-highest level ever recorded there. Only Hurricane Fran in 1996 produced a higher crest. The storm knocked out electricity to more than 34,000 customers statewide as of Monday morning, according to Chantal made landfall as a tropical storm near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, early Sunday before weakening to a tropical depression. As it continued moving northeast through the mid-Atlantic states Monday, forecasters warned that up to 6 more inches (15 centimeters) of rain could fall, raising the risk of additional flash flooding, especially northwest of the storm's path. The Weather Prediction Center also cautioned about dangerous surf and rip currents along the East Coast, from northeastern Florida to the mid-Atlantic, over the next few days.
07-07-2025
- Climate
Flooding from Chantal's remnants forces dozens to flee homes in North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Heavy rain and flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal forced dozens of people to flee their homes in central North Carolina, officials said Monday. The Chapel Hill Fire Department and neighboring agencies completed more than 50 water rescues, many of them in areas where floodwaters entered or threatened to enter apartments, officials said. More than 60 people were displaced Sunday and Monday. There were also water rescues at shopping centers, where water flooded businesses and parking lots, officials said. There were no reports of injuries as of Monday morning. Officials warned residents to take care as they ventured out Monday morning since crews were still assessing damage. In Orange County, the possibility of the failure of the Lake Michael Dam prompted officials to issue a voluntary evacuation for areas downstream overnight. In Chatham County, Sheriff Mike Roberson warned residents in a social media post that water may have subsided in some areas, but it was still dangerous to travel. Officials were searching for some missing people Monday morning, he said. All lanes of Interstate 85/Interstate 40 were closed both directions Monday near Durham and were expected to reopen in 24 to 48 hours, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The Eno River crested early Monday at Durham at 25.63 feet (7.81 meters), surpassing the previous record of 23.6 feet (7.19 meters), according the National Water Prediction Service's website. The Haw River crested early Monday at 32.5 feet (9.91 meters), the second highest river stage ever recorded at the Town of Haw River. That level was only eclipsed by Hurricane Fran in 1996 when the stage reached 32.83 feet (10.01 meters), according to a post from the National Weather Service's Raleigh office. More than 34,000 customers were without power on Monday morning, according to Chantal was expected to continue northeast through mid-Atlantic states Monday as a tropical depression before brushing the southern New England coast Monday night into Tuesday morning, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Rainfall amounts of up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) have already been reported in portions of the interior mid-Atlantic and the possibility of 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 centimeters) more was expected to raise flash flooding concerns, particularly to the northwest of Chantal's path through Monday night. Tropical Storm Chantal was downgraded to a depression Sunday after making landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, early Sunday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Forecasters warned of dangerous surf and rip currents at beaches from northeastern Florida to the mid-Atlantic states for the next couple of days.
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Flooding from Chantal's remnants forces dozens to flee homes in North Carolina
Heavy rain and flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal forced dozens of people to flee their homes in central North Carolina, officials said Monday. The Chapel Hill Fire Department and neighboring agencies completed more than 50 water rescues, many of them in areas where floodwaters entered or threatened to enter apartments, officials said. More than 60 people were displaced Sunday and Monday. There were also water rescues at shopping centers, where water flooded businesses and parking lots, officials said. There were no reports of injuries as of Monday morning. Officials warned residents to take care as they ventured out Monday morning since crews were still assessing damage. In Orange County, the possibility of the failure of the Lake Michael Dam prompted officials to issue a voluntary evacuation for areas downstream overnight. In Chatham County, Sheriff Mike Roberson warned residents in a social media post that water may have subsided in some areas, but it was still dangerous to travel. Officials were searching for some missing people Monday morning, he said. All lanes of Interstate 85/Interstate 40 were closed both directions Monday near Durham and were expected to reopen in 24 to 48 hours, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The Eno River crested early Monday at Durham at 25.63 feet (7.81 meters), surpassing the previous record of 23.6 feet (7.19 meters), according the National Water Prediction Service's website. The Haw River crested early Monday at 32.5 feet (9.91 meters), the second highest river stage ever recorded at the Town of Haw River. That level was only eclipsed by Hurricane Fran in 1996 when the stage reached 32.83 feet (10.01 meters), according to a post from the National Weather Service's Raleigh office. More than 34,000 customers were without power on Monday morning, according to Chantal was expected to continue northeast through mid-Atlantic states Monday as a tropical depression before brushing the southern New England coast Monday night into Tuesday morning, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Rainfall amounts of up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) have already been reported in portions of the interior mid-Atlantic and the possibility of 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 centimeters) more was expected to raise flash flooding concerns, particularly to the northwest of Chantal's path through Monday night. Tropical Storm Chantal was downgraded to a depression Sunday after making landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, early Sunday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Forecasters warned of dangerous surf and rip currents at beaches from northeastern Florida to the mid-Atlantic states for the next couple of days.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Want to know what areas are flooding in Tampa Bay? Here's where to look
The prospect of water pushing into homes and businesses is a heavy weight on the minds of Tampa Bay residents ahead of storms. Despite last year's devastating hurricane season, Tampa Bay has still not had a direct hit from a hurricane in over a century. Yet, 14 people drowned in the Tampa Bay area during Hurricane Helene from dangerous storm surge, and thousands of homes were damaged from coastal water or flooding rains. While guidance from the National Hurricane Center and emergency managers is king ahead of storms, it's helpful to have a few extra tools in the belt. One of those is watching real-time and future water levels. A website from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides data on tide gauges across portions of coastal Tampa Bay. And another resource from the National Water Prediction Service shows where river flooding is possible. The information, while far from the only piece in the larger puzzle that is hurricane preparation, gives residents another way to evaluate the risk to their homes and lives. To be clear: These tools are a supplement to personal decision-making (like planning to move your car to higher ground, or if you should start packing your car ahead of evacuations), but if officials tell you to evacuate, you need to leave. We've gathered what to know about rising water and how to access a sampling of the data surrounding it. Let's break down the basics. Tides are influenced by the sun and moon. When the tallest part of a wave reaches an area, that's high tide. The opposite, the lowest, is low tide. The difference in these heights is called a tidal range. Weather patterns can also influence tides. Strong wind and rain can lead to higher-than-expected tides, Virginia Dentler, an oceanographer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, previously told the Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Bay tends to see its highest tides of the year around late summer and early fall — coincidentally around peak hurricane season. Around this time, water levels grow by about 8 or 9 inches from what is typically recorded in winter and spring. 'When you have warmer waters, ocean water expands, and so it increases in elevation along the coast,' Gregory Dusek, a senior scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, previously told the Times. This is also around when 'king tides,' a colloquial term that refers to higher-than-normal tides, can occur. The flooding these high tides can cause has a few other names, like nuisance flooding or sunny-day flooding. A king tide occurs when two ingredients come together — when the moon is closest to the Earth, combined with a new or full moon. In Tampa Bay, there are just a few feet of difference between low and high tides, which is less than in other coastal parts of the country. That means whatever weather occurs that day will play a more important role in determining if a high tide will cause flooding here. Flooding can also occur without a weather system, though it's less common. A king tide occurred while Hurricane Idalia was skirting the coast of Tampa Bay in 2023. Idalia scraped near the area just hours before a king tide. Had it arrived about six hours later, Idalia's storm surge likely would have been about 2 feet higher. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a plethora of tidal stations across the country. In Tampa Bay, a number of those sites are concentrated along the coastal waters of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Because Tampa Bay has a port system, there are more tidal gauges in the surrounding waters, Dentler said. However, more-northern areas of Tampa Bay, like Pasco County and beyond, are without these gauges. Dentler said tide stations are typically added onto preexisting structures, like Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach. The administration's Tides & Currents website links to its tide stations, which include information like water levels, wind speeds and observed barometric pressure. When a storm is incoming, Dentler suggests looking to the administration's Coastal Inundation Dashboard. 'It's our real-time product,' Dentler said. Pinpoints on a map show where tide stations are located. Once a user clicks on their desired location, that station's observed water levels pop up. Stations give real-time water level data and will show when minor flooding (in yellow), moderate flooding (in red) and major flooding (in pink) are possible. The lines on the graph depict three possible water levels: Predicted water levels, observed water levels and forecasted water levels. The dark blue line shows water level predictions that oceanographers made a year in advance. The red line shows where water levels currently are. The light blue line shows the forecast guidance, which inputs external weather forces such as high winds. The forecast guidance line is the best bet in knowing how high water levels may reach during a storm, Dentler said. All stations have different heights at which flooding can occur. In St. Petersburg, for example, minor flooding can happen at a little less than 3 feet. Most of the highest water levels recorded in the station's history occurred during hurricanes. Of the top five highest water levels, three have occurred since 2020. Helene took the crown last year, dethroning a record set 39 years before. During Helene, observed water levels reached more than 2 feet higher than the record set during Hurricane Elena in 1985. Just like coastal areas, inland residents of Florida are no strangers to flooding. When Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida's west coast last year, it was the third storm to do so in a few months. The waterlogged ground and Tampa Bay's infrastructure were unable to handle the record rainfall. Rivers are a particular kind of beast. Water levels along rivers and lakes often lag weeks or months behind coastal areas after storms due to natural hydrological processes. Milton set records across Tampa Bay. The Hillsborough River rose above 38 feet, shattering a 2017 record. The Withlacoochee River crested at nearly 20 feet, the highest in nearly a century, nine days after the storm passed. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, river forecasts are made by the National Water Prediction Service, which is under the National Weather Service. The tool found at can show gauges for these sites. If you zoom in on Florida, you'll find little dots lighting up the entire state. A caveat: There are lots of buttons and drop-downs to play with on this site; water levels are one aspect. On one of its most basic levels, clicking on the dots displayed on the site will show a water body's current information and a forecast, if available. A dot corresponds with an observation, while a square corresponds with a forecast. Each colored dot or square corresponds with a water gauge. For example: green (no flooding), yellow (action), orange (minor flooding), red (moderate flooding) and purple (major flooding). A newer version of the map was released last year that has more bells and whistles, like a 'flood inundation' section. A user can also display this section under the original map, but it will warn that the information is experimental. In April 2024, a graphic found on the National Water Prediction Service product showed the Suwanee River at Manatee Springs was in a minor flooding stage, and it was expected to fall to an action level in the following days. The blue line showed observed water levels, while the dotted purple line showed the water level forecast. Should the National Weather Service place an area under a flood warning, the location will be highlighted in green. Clicking on the area will display the full advisory. For information on tides: To find the Coastal Inundation Dashboard: For information on rivers: A version of this story was previously published in the Tampa Bay Times. The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Florida's most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here. • • • For Tampa Bay, Helene was the worst storm in a century More hurricanes are slamming the Gulf Coast. Is this the new normal? Want to know what areas are flooding in Tampa Bay? Here's where to look. Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits.
