Persistent showers and storms began Tuesday evening and have continued into early Wednesday afternoon.
Storms have led to a range of rainfall totals as of noon:
*KVOE studios: 1.3 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 1.1 inches
*10th and Weaver: 1.7 inches
*18th and Briarcliff: 1.6 inches
*900 block Whildin: 2 inches
*Country Club Heights: 1.9 inches
*Neosho Rapids: 1.75 inches
*700 block Road 200: 2.8 inches
*One mile north of Saffordville: 2.4 inches
Council Grove had reported 3 inches of rain before 8 am, with 1-2 inches of rain reported near Allen, Americus and Reading.
Much of Emporia dealt with a roughly 75-minute power outage Wednesday morning. Evergy says two switches failed at a substation just east of Emporia, knocking out power to over 1,700 customers from Commercial Street east to Road R. Power was restored around 8:45 am. It’s unclear if storm activity was to blame.
More chances of storms are in the works for Thursday morning, Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night into Sunday morning. There is currently a slight to marginal risk of severe weather Thursday.
8:50 am Wednesday: Major power outage restored for east Emporia; flood alerts canceled
Evergy has restored power to a large area involving east Emporia and areas further east.
Power went offline from Commercial Street between South and 12th in Emporia and Road R about three miles east of town around 7:30 am. Over 1,700 Evergy customers, including the Evergy substation, were affected until the power was restored around 8:45 am.
According to Evergy District Manager Rolland Trahoon II tells KVOE the cause of the outage was the result of two broken switches. Its unclear if the weather played a role in the switches being damaged, however, the outage did develop with intermittent storm activity ongoing in and around Emporia.
7:50 am Wednesday: Large power outage affects east Emporia; flood alerts continue near Emporia
Power outages are now impacting close to 1,800 Evergy customers in northeast Emporia and points to the east.
KVOE listeners reported outages affecting areas east of Commercial and from South to 12th just before 7:30 am. The outage, which apparently is originating near US Highway 50 and Road N-5, has shut off the traffic signals on Sixth at Commercial and Mechanic and also extends east past Camp Alexander.
Evergy has not announced a cause but expects the power to be restored by 9 am.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
4-7:30 am Wednesday: Flood alerts posted northwest, southwest of Emporia; more rain chances scattered through Sunday
Storms brought the threat of severe weather Tuesday evening, but they stayed below severe levels, based on reports to KVOE and the National Weather Service.
A handful of severe thunderstorm warnings developed for areas northwest and southwest of Emporia. No severe weather was noted.
Storms brought heavy rain for well over an hour to parts of northwest Greenwood County, which remains in a flood warning until 9:45 am. Radar estimates had up to 4 inches of rain at the time the warning was extended with another inch of rain possible overnight. Exact measurements are pending.
Heavy rain is underway across northern Lyon, much of Morris and southern Wabaunsee counties, which are now in an urban and small stream flood advisory until 8:30 am. The Weather Service says up to 2.5 inches of rain has fallen with another 1-1.5 inches of rain possible.
Elsewhere across the area, rain totals are varied and spotty.
*KVOE studios: 0.40 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 0.52 inches
*10th and Weaver: 0.20 inches
*1100 block Constitution: 0.15 inches
*Coronado Avenue: 0.40 inches
*Mount Vernon Terrace: 0.60 inches
*Five miles southwest of Emporia: 0.25 inches
*Allen: 2 inches
*Americus: 1.5 inches
*Bushong: 1.5 inches
*Council Grove: 3 inches
*Two miles west of Madison: 0.30 inches
*Olpe: 0.30 inches
*Reading: 0.65-1.25 inches
*One mile north of Saffordville: 0.70 inches
*Two miles east of Strong City: 1.3 inches
Power outages were widely scattered as well. The Cassoday area had close to 170 Evergy customers offline, but those have been restored. There are currently a handful of outages for Evergy customers near Allen and Melvern, but less than 30 customers total are without power.
Showers and storms are possible through the lunchtime period Wednesday, with more chances of storms Thursday morning, Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night into Sunday morning. There is currently a slight to marginal risk of severe weather Thursday.
If you have rain totals, message the KVOE Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
6:15-11 pm Tuesday: Severe weather coverage period
Strong storms have entered the KVOE listening area with a risk of severe weather attached.
Active warnings
*Greenwood County: Flood warning until 9:45 am. Includes Thrall
6:05 pm Tuesday: Severe thunderstorm watch areawide until midnight
Strong storms are possible across the KVOE listening area Tuesday night.
A severe thunderstorm watch now affects all area counties until midnight. The National Weather Service says storms could generate hail to the size of ping pong balls, or 1.5 inches in diameter, and wind gusts up to 70 mph or the equivalent of EF-0 tornado strength.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates Tuesday evening.
