Severe storms have brought isolated high winds and more widespread heavy rain, although brief, to Lyon and surrounding counties.
Severe weather reports
*3 miles southeast of Matfield Green: 63 mph wind
Rain reports
*KVOE studios: 0.55 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 0.04 inches
*Lake Kahola: 1.21 inches in 10 minutes
Storms have also caused over 1,000 power outages combined for Evergy and 4 Rivers customers. Evergy has over 800 outages in the immediate Council Grove area, nearly 300 along Road F between Americus and Bushong and less than 10 near Admire. Almost 190 customers are offline in and around Cassoday. Meanwhile, 4 Rivers has almost 180 outages in Lyon County and over 10 in Chase County after issues at its Americus and Thunderbird substations.
*Click here for active official alerts through the National Weather Service.
5 pm Tuesday: Severe thunderstorm watches up areawide through late Tuesday evening
Severe thunderstorm activity is beginning to pop-up across the KVOE listening area with storm potential continuing into late Tuesday evening.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch affecting Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until midnight. Separately, Chase and Greenwood counties are under a watch now through 10 pm.
The main hazards will be strong winds, large hail and flooding rainfall, however, isolated tornadic activity cannot be ruled out.
The storm potential follows another day of oppressive heat with highs in the upper 90s and heat indexes well over 100 through the afternoon hours. The watch also follows the issuance of a flood watch for Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until Wednesday morning.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
3 pm Tuesday: Flood watch announced for Lyon, most surrounding counties
Heat and humidity Tuesday may well give way to stormy and wet conditions by evening.
Air temperatures were just below 100 degrees as of 2 pm with heat index readings as high as 103. Heat index readings could move up to 105 by the end of the day.
Area residents are still in a marginal-to-slight severe weather risk for the evening and early-overnight hours. Wind and hail are the main risks, but isolated tornadoes are also possible.
Flooding rain is also possible, so the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties from 5 pm Tuesday through Wednesday morning. The Weather Service says most areas will get less than an inch of rain, but some pockets could see 1-3 inches of rain.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
6 am Tuesday: Heat guaranteed, severe weather and flooding rain possible Tuesday after Monday’s heavy rainfall
Several Lyon County roads remain closed after Monday’s heavy rainfall, according to the Lyon County Highway Department:
*Road 320 from K-5 of L
*Road 330 from H-5 to L
*Road 350 from V-6 to X
*Road 360 from U to V-6
*Road K from 310 to 340
*Click here for a link to the county’s road closure map available on lyoncounty.org.
The rain, anywhere from 3.5-9 inches along the US Highway 56 corridor, sent creeks and ponds out of their banks and caused widespread flooding in Allen. The heavy rain also caused water to go over US Highway 56, Kansas Highway 99 and Allen Road or Road L in several spots, although all three highways stayed open Monday. It also sent the Marais des Cygnes River into flood above Reading, with the river cresting over six feet above its 19-foot flood stage. The river is now back within its banks.
The weather pattern remains unsettled all the way through the upcoming weekend. The area’s best chances of rain are Tuesday evening through Wednesday night, and National Weather Service meteorologist Sarah Teefey is concerned about possible flooding.
Both Teefey and Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell are asking travelers to be ready in case flooding develops.
Severe weather is also a concern, with a marginal-to-slight risk Tuesday evening, a marginal risk Wednesday evening and a marginal-to-slight risk for the Fourth of July. All hazards are possible, but wind and hail are the main concerns.
And it’s going to be extremely hot again areawide, with highs around 100 degrees and heat index readings peaking between 104-110 — following Monday’s high of 95 and heat index as high as 106. Heat advisories run 12-8 pm areawide Tuesday.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
