River-based flooding is underway from Emporia to Neosho Rapids.
Before 11 am Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Cottonwood River at Emporia. Just before noon, the Weather Service issued a warning for the Neosho River at Neosho Rapids.
*The warning for the Cottonwood at Emporia goes until early Saturday afternoon. The river went above flood stage of 20 feet before 2 pm and is at 21.13 feet. The river is above a downwardly-revised crest of 20.4 feet by Thursday afternoon and should go below flood stage Friday evening.
*The warning for the Neosho at Neosho Rapids goes until Thursday evening. The river was at 22.56 feet at 7:30 pm, above flood stage of 22 feet. Like the Cottonwood at Emporia, the Neosho is above a downwardly-revised crest of 22.2 feet. It should go below flood stage early Thursday.
Several Lyon County roads and intersections are closed, either just south of Emporia, just west of Americus or between Emporia and Americus.
*Road A (Lyon-Chase county line) north of US Highway 50; at Lyon County Road 180
*Road 140 west of Kansas Highway 99; between H and J; at P
*Road 150 east of Kansas Highway 99; west of Kansas Highway 99; at J; at N; at P; at R
*Road 155 at F-5; at G
*Road 160 at G; at H; at J
*Road 170 at G
*Road 210 west of Kansas Highway 99; at K
*Road 240 at D; at E-5
*West South at Road H
Rain totals from the week are below. KVOE listeners reported up to 3.5 inches of rain between Tuesday and Wednesday morning after 1-5.5 inches of rain Monday night. More rain is possible through Wednesday evening.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
10:30 am Wednesday: Cottonwood River in flood warning at Emporia
Flooding is now expected for at least one area river gauge.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Cottonwood River at Emporia from Wednesday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. Just before 10:30 am, the river was at 19.11 feet and closing in on flood stage of 20 feet. The river should go above flood stage before sunset Wednesday, crest at 22.4 feet Thursday afternoon and go below flood stage Friday evening.
A flood warning for Greenwood County is set to expire at 1 pm Wednesday. Flood watches continue for Chase and Greenwood counties until 1 am Thursday and for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until 7 pm Wednesday.
This follows heavy rain for the second straight night, with anywhere from 1-3.5 inches of rain reported.
Several Lyon County roads are closed at this time:
*Road A (Lyon-Chase county line) north of US Highway 50; at Lyon County Road 180
*Road 140 west of Kansas Highway 99; between H and J; at P
*Road 150 west of Kansas Highway 99; at J; at N; at P; at R
*Road 155 at F-5; at G
*Road 160 at G; at H; at J
*Road 170 at G
*Road 240 at D; at E-5
*West South at Road H
Greenwood County has several low-water crossings that are closed, but most of those are south of Eureka. Morris County has several roads closed in the northeast part of the county outside the KVOE listening area.
3-10 am Wednesday: Flood warning continues in Greenwood County; road closure list expanding in Lyon County
Several rounds of rainfall just Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning have increased the flooding potential for parts of the KVOE listening area.
There was just one official severe weather report — quarter-sized hail five miles southwest of Emporia near the start of the event Tuesday evening. However, the main issues — again — dealt with moderate to heavy rain:
*KVOE studios: 1.5 inches Tuesday into Wednesday, 2.5 inches total
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 1.03 inches Tuesday into Wednesday, 2.25 inches total
*900 block Graphic Arts: 2.75 inches total
*1100 block Constitution: 1.35 inches Tuesday, 2.6 inches total
*10th and Weaver: 0.75 inches Tuesday into Wednesday, 2.25 inches total
*South and Sylvan: 1.1 inches Tuesday into Wednesday, 2.4 inches total
*Americus: 2.25 inches Tuesday into Wednesday
*Between Hartford and Olpe: 1.5 inches Tuesday into Wednesday, 2 inches total
*Cottonwood Falls: 0.65 inches Tuesday into Wednesday, 2.9 inches total
*Eureka: 3.5 inches Tuesday into Wednesday
*Olpe: 1.1 inches Tuesday into Wednesday, 1.4 inches total
*Reading: 1 inch Tuesday into Wednesday, 2.5 inches total
*Strong City: 4.3 inches total
Greenwood County is in a flood warning until 1 pm Wednesday. Greenwood and Chase counties are in a flood watch until 1 am Thursday, while Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee are now in a flood watch until 7 pm.
Lyon County Deputy Nathan Rankin says drivers need to be careful, especially if they come up on roads that may be flooded but not yet barricaded. They also need to observe and honor the roads that are barricaded.
Besides the risk of fines, drivers will find insurance companies will not cover flood-related vehicle damage if they go past barricades and then get stuck.
Residents who come to a road that’s flooded and not barricaded should turn around and call the Lyon County Emergency Communications non-emergency number at 620-343-4225.
Several Lyon County roads are closed at this time:
*Road A (Lyon-Chase county line) north of US Highway 50; at Lyon County Road 180
*Road 140 west of Kansas Highway 99; between H and J
*Road 150 west of Kansas Highway 99; at J
*Road 155 at F-5; at G
*Road 160 at G; at H; at J
*Road 170 at G
*Road 240 at D; at E-5
*West South at Road H
Greenwood County has closed several low-water crossings, mostly south of Eureka. Morris County has several roads closed in the northeast part of the county outside the KVOE listening area.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. Join KVOE’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get instant alerts wherever you may be.
We have several storm photos from KVOE listeners with our coverage online at KVOE.com. If you have rain totals, storm reports or storm photos, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
