Flood warnings now cover much of the KVOE listening area into Saturday morning.
Active warnings
*Lyon, Coffey, south Osage counties: Flood warning until 7:30 am Saturday. Includes Emporia, Americus, Burlington, Gridley, Lebo, LeRoy, Melvern, Neosho Rapids, New Strawn and Reading
A flash flood watch remains in effect for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until 7 am Saturday. A flood watch is also posted for Chase and Greenwood counties until 7 am Saturday.
Currently, two Lyon County are closed due to floodwaters, including the 1100 block of Road W and Road 150 from Roads T to V. Extended heavy rainfall since mid-afternoon reportedly sent water over Santa Fe Street in Olpe, Olpe-Hartford Road near Kansas Highway 99 and Road 60 at U shortly before sunset, according to KVOE listeners.
Meanwhile, several area counties have been removed from an earlier severe thunderstorm watch including, Coffey, Osage and Wabaunsee. A watch continues for Lyon and Morris counties until 11 pm.
A separate watch goes for Chase and Greenwood counties also until 11 pm.
The main hazards are hail to the size of limes or hen eggs (two inches in diameter) and scattered wind gusts as high as 70 mph. Isolated tornadoes can’t be ruled out.
Storm reports
*Elmdale: One semi was blown down apparently due to storm-related winds.
*Neosho Rapids: Estimated 62-mph wind gust
*Reading: Tree limbs downed
Power outages
*Emporia: 240
*Americus: 247
*Americus, Allen, Bushong: Over 470
*Elmdale: 60
Rain reports
*KVOE studios: 1.2 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 0.90 inches
*Three miles east of Emporia Municipal Airport: 3.12 inches
*Tenth and Burns: 1 inch
*Americus: 2.1 inches
*Lake Kahola: 1.15 inches
*Neosho Rapids: 6 inches
*Olpe: 4 inches
*Reading: 2.1 inches
Out of the KVOE listening area, Marion received 5.5 inches of rain and there were radar estimates of over 7 inches of rain across parts of southern Marion County. That activity is notable because of the headwaters for the Cottonwood River. The river has not had a significant spike in water levels at any of its gauges from Emporia to the west as of 6:30 pm.
Other activity has taken place during the severe weather and heavy rainfall.
*One person was hurt in a crash on the Kansas Turnpike at mile marker 105, 22 miles southwest of Emporia. Further details are pending
*There is no confirmation of a lightning strike on a moving vehicle on Interstate 35 between Emporia and the Kansas Highway 130 junction. The driver reported a bright flash and all electrical processes ending immediately afterward
*One person went off Road 175 at Road Y and hit a stop sign. No injuries were reported
*Several fire departments handled a hay bale fire in the 1800 block of Road V after a power line apparently hit the bale
More updates are coming on KVOE.com.
5:30 am Friday: Flash flood watch now includes Coffey, Osage, Wabaunsee counties until 7 am Saturday; severe weather possible Friday
Strong storms and heavy rainfall are possible across the KVOE listening area Friday.
The best chance for storm activity is by late afternoon or early evening. There is a slight risk for severe weather just about statewide, with hail and high winds the main concerns. There is also a non-zero risk of a tornado, but the chances are remote.
Heavy rainfall is also a concern, especially east of Emporia. Coffey, Osage and Wabaunsee counties are in a flash flood watch until 7 am Saturday. These counties could see 2-4 inches of rainfall with isolated higher totals also possible.
Saturday evening also has a marginal severe weather risk. Hail and high winds are the main concerns. Isolated tornadoes can’t be ruled out but are unlikely.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates through the weekend. Be sure to join KVOE’s social media channels on Facebook@kvoenews and Twitter@kvoeam1400 if you haven’t already done so. Also, download KVOE’s free mobile app to take our severe weather coverage with you.
