Barricades have been placed on several roadways in and around Emporia following heavy rainfall and flooding Sunday.
Kansas Highway 99 is closed between Roads 180 and 240, or just north of Emporia. According to Lyon County Assistant Engineer Jim Brull, Road 250 north of Americus was closed at one time during the day. It was then reopened to one lane of traffic for a time before fully reopening shortly before 9 pm.
Brull says Americus Road south of the town could potentially be closed down before the end of the night Sunday, however, that is still to be determined.
Other closures:
*1900 block of Road M
*2500 block of Road N
*2500 block of Road P
*1100 block of Road 190
*500 block of Road 240
*Road 150 between K and Highway 99
*West of Road 150 and P
Brull tells KVOE News more road closures are likely to be coming in the next several days with more rainfall forecasted throughout the majority of the coming week.
Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell reminds residents it is illegal to drive around a barricade that has been placed on a roadway.
Numerous Emporia intersections went underwater due to several bouts of heavy rainfall as well.
Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch says flooding incidents in neighboring communities have not been largely severe, however, KVOE has received reports of significant flooding in and around Americus. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office tells KVOE News that road ponding has been constant throughout the town, however, residents should not experience any issues so long as they exercise caution and obey speed limits.
Saturday-Sunday rain totals as recorded by or reported to KVOE News through noon:
*KVOE studios: 4.4 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 3.46 inches
*Ninth and Burns: 5.1 inches
*Ninth and Lawrence: 2.9 inches
*10th and Weaver: 4.5 inches
*11th and Market: 4 inches
*15th and Berkeley: 3.5 inches
*Lake Kahola: 3.5 inches
*Lebo: 3 inches
*Neosho Rapids: 2.4 inches
*Reading: 3.75 inches
*Saffordville: 0.90 inches
*Thorndale: 3 inches
Several flood warnings or urban and small stream flood advisories were issued early Sunday. That list has been trimmed:
*The National Weather Service has extended the flood warning for Lyon, eastern Morris and Wabaunsee counties until midnight Monday.
*Flood warning: Marais des Cygnes River above Reading until Monday morning. Latest reading was 21.27 feet, above flood stage of 19 feet. Expected crest is 22.7 feet Sunday evening with return below flood stage early Monday. Road Y-5 near the gauge floods at 21 feet.
*Flood warning: Salt Creek near Lyndon. Latest reading was 11.98 feet, above flood stage of 10 feet. Expected crest is 13 feet Sunday afternoon with a return below flood stage Sunday night. Minow low-land flooding starts near the US Highway 75 bridge at 10 feet.
*Flood warning: Neosho River near Neosho Rapids. Last reading was 19.1 ft near the 22 ft flood stage. Expected crest is 24.5 Monday morning with a return to flood stage by Tuesday morning.
*Flood warning: Neosho River near Emporia. Last reading was 13.9 ft. Flood stage is 19 feet. Expected crest is 23.7 feet Monday evening with a return to flood stage by Tuesday morning.
*Flood warning: Marais Des Cygnes River near Quenemo. Last reading was 22.3 feet well above the 17 ft flood stage. Expected crest is 28.2 feet by Monday morning with a return to flood stage by Monday afternoon.
Flash flooding is also a major concern at this time. Fell says when it comes to flash flooding, residents need to be extra cautious because the situation can escalate very quickly.
Elsewhere in the KVOE listening area:
*Morris County: Severe flooding has been reported in Dunlap.
*Wabaunsee County is reporting significant flooding on farm lands.
* Osage County has had a handful of road closures due to flooding. County Road and Bridge crews are continuing to assess road conditions and are placing barricades as needed.
*Coffey, Chase and Greenwood counties all reported flooding throughout the county, however, no severe issues have been reported at this time.
Additional rainfall is possible to likely through the upcoming week, mainly in the form of showers. We’l lkeep you updated on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
