The National Weather Service is tracking the potential for heavy rainfall involving several area counties.
Active alerts
*Flood watch: Lyon, Chase, Coffey and Greenwood counties until 1 pm Thursday. Reflects 1-2.5 inches of rainfall Tuesday into Wednesday with another 1-2 inches of rain possible through lunchtime Thursday
6:30 am Wednesday: Storms dump occasionally heavy rain
Occasionally heavy rainfall came to the KVOE listening area during storms Tuesday night through early Wednesday, and more is possible into Thursday afternoon.
A flood watch now affects Lyon, Chase, Coffey and Greenwood until 1 pm Thursday, reflecting heavy rainfall and the prospect of getting another 1-2 inches of rain into Thursday. Current rain totals as of 6:30 am:
*KVOE studios: 1.40 inches
*Emporia Muniicipal Airport: 1.85 inches
*Coronado Avenue: 1.40 inches
*1100 block Constitution: 1.40 inches
*4th and Mechanic: 1.25 inches
*South and Sylvan: 1.50 inches
*1 mile north of Allen: 0.90 inches
*Americus: 1.50 inches
*3 miles west of Americus: 1.50 inches
*Bushong: 2.55 inches
*Cottonwood Falls: 1.75 inches
*Eagle Creek Quarry: 2.12 inches
*3.5 miles west of Emporia Golf Course: 1.50 inches
*Emporia Energy Center: 1.30 inches
*Eureka Milliken Airport: 2.07 inches
*6 miles north of Gridley: 1.20 inches
*7 miles northwest of Gridley: 1.90 inches
*3 miles north of Hamilton: 1.60 inches
*3 miles northeast of Hamilton: 1.30 inches
*Kansas Highway 99 at Lyon-Greenwood county line: 1.35 inches
*Lamont: 1.50 inches
*2 miles north of Lebo: 1.50 inches
*Lyon County Roads 140 and P: 1.60 inches
*Lyon County Roads 200 and M: 1.25 inches
*Oak Drive, Madison: 1.31 inches
*Neosho Rapids: 2.40 inches
*Olpe Blacksmith Shop: 1.55 inches
*1 mile east of Olpe: 1.25 inches
*2 miles north of Olpe: 1.70 inches
*Reading: 2 inches
*Thorndale: 1.40 inches
*Toledo: 1.31 inches
With more rain coming, National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Wolters says there’s not much room for the rain to go.
Isolated severe thunderstorms also affected parts of Chase and Morris counties, but no confirmed severe weather was reported. Wolters says the weather pattern had been unusually warm the last 2 weeks.
The heavy rain caused an injury crash on Interstate 35 between Burlingame Road and East US Highway 50 around 1:15 am Wednesday. Lyon County Deputy Dylan Jacobs says deputies and Emporia Fire/EMS responded after a semi truck was on its side in the highway’s south ditch. Jacobs says 42-year-old Abdi Omar of Saint Paul, Minnesota, was southbound when the truck and trailer hydroplaned due to wet conditions. The truck and its load went into the median and overturned in the ditch. Omar was wearing his seatbelt, was evaluated and declined a hospital trip afterward. Deputies continue their investigation.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Wolters says frost may be a concern. Temperatures early Saturday may be in the mid-30s or lower.
If you have rain totals, message the KVOE Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply text line at 620-342-5863. If you have storm video, direct message Facebook@kvoenews.
Click here for KVOE’s YouTube channel, including videos from yesterday’s storms.
