Flooding is ongoing in parts of Lyon County after heavy rainfall Friday night through much of Saturday.
The National Weather Service says the Cottonwood River at Emporia is in a flood warning through late Sunday night. The river went above 20 feet, or into flood stage, around 5:30 am Sunday and has climbed to 20.68 feet, above the first project crest of 20.4 feet. The south bank of the Cottonwood floods at 20 feet.
The Neosho, meanwhile, is in a flood warning at Neosho Rapids until Monday afternoon. The river was at 22.2 feet at 9:30 am Sunday, above flood stage of 22. The river should crest at 25.7 feet by early evening and go below flood stage before midnight. At 23 feet, the river floods low-lying areas nearby. At 26 feet, it covers large areas over both banks.
Several Lyon County roads are also closed either due to current flooding or water damage:
*Road G between Roads 170 and US Highway 50
*Road 120 between Roads K and L
*Road 140 between Road J and Kansas Highway 99
*Road 150 between Road J and Kansas Highway 99
*Road 160, also known as Lockerman Road, between Roads G and J
*Road 210 between Roads K and L
*Road 240 between Roads D and F
*Road F between Roads 145 and 150
*Road J between Roads 140 and 150
*Road K between Roads 140 and 150
*1500 block Road 330
*1600 block Roads G and H
Flooding follows heavy rain, including several rounds of thunderstorms. Totals went above 3 inches in several locations:
*KVOE studios: 3.30 inches
*Country Club Heights: 2.90 inches
*1100 block Constitution: 3.10 inches
*10th and Weaver: 2.75 inches
*18th and Briarcliff: 3 inches
*Americus: 2.86 inches
*Northeast of Americus: 2.90 inches
*Northwest of Americus: 3.5 inches
*West of Americus: 2.60 inches
*1 mile west of F&F Feeds Olpe location: 3.45 inches
7.5 miles east of Hartford: 3.20 inches
*Lebo Heidi Inn: 3.25 inches
*Thorndale: 3.20 inches
*Reading: 2.40 inches
*Northeast of Reading: 2.68 inches
*North of Reading Lake: 2.40 inches
*US Highway 50 and Road X: 4 inches
The rest of the week will see dry, mild and occasionally breezy conditions, with highs in the 70s Monday and Tuesday, followed by temperatures much closer to the normal of mid- and upper 40s by Friday. Wind gusts could be between 25-40 mph at times Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
7:45 pm Saturday: Friday/Saturday rainfall totals far exceed original projections; Flood warning for local river gauge and road closures
The first notable rainfall of 2026 for the KVOE listening area topped expectations this weekend.
Prior forecasts, ahead of the deluge that began Friday, lasting into midday Saturday, were calling for anywhere from half an inch to just over 1.5 inches in that timeframe; however, Mother Nature had other plans. As of late Saturday afternoon, the KVOE studios received 3.30 inches of rainfall.
Other totals:
*10th and Weaver 2.75 inches
*1100 Block of Constitution 3.1 inches
*Country Club Heights 2.90 inches
*Deerbrook Addition 2.2 inches
*Thorndale 3.20 inches
*Willow Lane 1.7 inches
Area Totals:
*1 mile west of F&F Feeds in Olpe 3.45 inches
*5 miles southwest of Olpe 1.05 inches
*Reading 2.4 inches
*Lebo Heidi Inn 3.25 inches
If you have rain totals, please message the KVOE Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply text line or email KVOE@KVOE.com.
The rainfall has led to one area river gauge, the Neosho River at Neosho Rapids, being placed into a flood warning from now until early Monday afternoon. As of 5 pm the river was at 17.36 feet just below the 22-foot flood stage, with the river expected to crest at just above 25 feet by late Saturday evening.
The river is expected to recede below the flood level by Sunday night.
This is not the only report of flooding or potential flooding in the area, as a handful of roadways in Lyon County have been closed due to water on said roadways. The current closure list includes:
*Road G between Roads 170 and US Highway 50
*400 and 500 blocks of Road 240
*500 block of Road 145 and 150
*900 block of Roads 140 and 150
*1000 block of Roads 150 and Road 140
*1400 block of Road J
There are still some slight chances for additional rainfall by Saturday evening, when the precipitation is expected to end completely. Sunday’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny conditions and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s heading into the work week, which is expected to be dry and sunny with temperatures ranging between the mid to low 60’s and low 70’s into the weekend.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates and information as it becomes available.
1:30 pm Saturday: UPDATE: Flood warning issued for Neosho River at Neosho Rapids as Road closures continue following recent rainfall
One local river gauge is now under a flood warning.
The National Weather Service has placed the Neosho River near Neosho Rapids under the warning now through Monday afternoon. As of 12:30 pm Saturday, the river was at just over 13 feet, well below flood stage of 22 feet.
The river is expected to crest at 25.7 feet by Saturday evening and drop back below the stage Sunday night.
The flood warning follows the announcement of several road closures following consistent rainfall Friday evening into Saturday. The latest Road closures are available below.
Drivers are reminded to not try and drive through water over roadways for any reason and that it is illegal to move or drive around barricades on roads.
11:30 am Saturday: Road closures beginning following continuous rainfall Friday night into Saturday
Road closures are beginning to pop up across portions of the listening area following continuous rainfall since late Friday.
At the KVOE studios, we have received 2.6 inches of rainfall since rainfall began just before midnight. If you have rain totals please message the KVOE Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply text line or email KVOE@KVOE.com.
The deluge of precipitation has already led to some Road closures, specifically in Lyon County according to the County’s Road and Bridge department.
As of 11:30 am Saturday, the following roads have been barricaded.
*Road G between Roads 170 and US Highway 50
*400 and 500 blocks of Road 240
*500 block of Road 145 and 150
*900 block of Roads 140 and 150
*1000 Block OF Road 150 and Road 140
*1400 block of Road J
Rainfall is expected to continue through the remainder of the day Saturday before dry and mostly sunny conditions enter the forecast Sunday into the upcoming work week. With Road closures beginning, drivers are reminded to exercise caution and not drive through flooded roadways under any circumstances.
Drivers are also reminded that it is illegal to move or drive around any barricades on roads.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as they become available.
