Chances of overall thunderstorm activity and severe weather have declined as the holiday has progressed.
Early Thursday, there was a moderate chance of storms and a marginal severe weather risk for wind. As of early afternoon, the overall risk had been reduced to slight, with isolated to widely scattered heavy rainfall possible. As was the case in the early-morning hours, the projected time for rainfall remains 4-8 pm.
The overall severe weather risk, meanwhile, had been pushed to the southeast, out of the KVOE listening area.
The flood warning continues for the Marais des Cygnes River above Reading. The river went above the 19-foot flood stage shortly after noon and was last reading at 19.9 feet, between the original crest projection of 24-plus feet and 19.3 feet. The river is expected to go below flood stage before sunset Thursday.
9:30 am Thursday: Marais des Cygnes projected crest above Reading trimmed considerably but still above flood stage
Storm activity possible for late Thursday afternoon should be out of the way for Emporia’s Fourth of July fireworks activities at Emporia State University.
National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Flanagan says storms should fire along a frontal boundary north and west of Emporia after noon.
Another round of heavy rain early Thursday — anywhere from 0.75 to 1.70 inches — triggered a flood warning for the Marais des Cygnes River above Reading until early Friday. The river was at 17 feet before 9 am and was expected to climb to 19.3 feet by Thursday afternoon, just above the 19-foot flood stage. It should go below flood stage before sunset. The original forecast had the river cresting over five feet above flood stage for the second time this week.
Area rain totals can be found below.
The Sertoma Club decided not to have its normal Thursday mini-train rides because of water over parts of the track at Soden’s Grove. The club is planning to run the train Saturday evening.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If you have rain totals, storm reports, storm photos or videos, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
6:30 am Thursday: More heavy rain possible Thursday afternoon; flood warning reissued for Marais des Cygnes River above Reading
More thunderstorms are possible to likely by late Thursday afternoon after a hard rainfall before sunrise, but it appears the storm activity may clear the area just in time for Emporia’s annual fireworks activities at Emporia State University.
National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Flanagan says storms should fire along a frontal boundary north and west of Emporia after noon. The forecast has the line moving through Emporia earlier than Tuesday’s projections, meaning the severe weather risk is now marginal areawide.
Rainfall has ended for now, but flooding is expected on at least one area river. The Marais des Cygnes above Reading is now in a flood warning until early Friday. The river was at 14.66 feet as of early Wednesday and was expected to climb to 24.2 feet by Thursday afternoon, or over five feet above the 19-foot flood stage. It should go below flood stage before sunset.
This would be the second time this week the Marais des Cygnes would go at least five feet above flood stage. The river climbed over six feet above flood stage after extremely heavy rain Monday morning.
Rain totals:
*KVOE studios: 1.40 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 0.92 inches
*10th and Weaver: 1.45 inches
*1100 block Constitution: 1.40 inches
*4 miles northeast of Admire: 1.55 inches Thursday, 10.94 inches this week
*Allen: 1.70 inches Thursday, over 10 inches this week
*Burlington: 1.02 inches
*Bushong: 1.18 inches
*6 miles north of Gridley: 0.75 inches
*Kansas Highway 99 at Lyon-Greenwood county line: 0.80 inches
*Neosho Rapids: 1.40 inches
*Olpe: 1.30 inches
Meanwhile, there are still impacts from storm activity earlier this week.
Admire residents were gearing up for the city’s annual Third of July celebration Wednesday, but City Council member Nichole Kuhn tells KVOE News there is major storm damage from Tuesday evening’s storm activity, including large trees uprooted, a live power line downed, multiple sheds blown off their attachments and at least one vehicle destroyed by falling branches. As a result, the city has postponed all activities, including fireworks and the multi-sport court ribbon-cutting ceremony, until July 13.
Kuhn says Admire has temporarily closed the city burn pile, but it has provided two large roll-off containers at City Park to be used only for tree debris; trash and other debris will not be allowed for those specific containers. Wood chippers will also be available for Admire residents Friday and Saturday.
There is also one Lyon County road still closed after up to 9 inches of rain along he US Highway 56 corridor early Monday. Road 320 east of L is closed until further notice.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If you have rain totals, storm reports, storm photos or videos, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
