Storm Impacting the Northwest U.S.; Fire Weather Conditions in Southern California; Severe Weather in the South

A Pacific storm is bringing areas of low elevation rain, moderate to heavy mountain snow, and high winds to the Northwest. Strong Santa Ana winds and very dry conditions are producing elevated to critical fire weather conditions in southern California. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through early Wednesday morning across parts of northeast Texas into western Tennessee. Read More >

Overview

Two rounds of heavy rain impacted the Flint Hills into southeast Kansas on Friday May 15th. The first round moved through between midnight and 2 am with another round closer to sunrise and lasting into mid morning. Three to five inches of rainfall was reported with much of that falling in a fairly short amount of time. A few water rescues were reported along with numerous road closures. Heavy rain also sent many rivers across the Flint Hills and southeast Kansas into flood.

Rainfall map showing widespread area of more than 3 inches

Photos & Video

Photos & Video

Radar animation showing the two rounds of storms that caused flooding

Some of the higher rainfall totals across the area.

A look at which rivers were affected the most

The “Falls” at Elk Falls. Water is up to about 8 feet from under the bridge. This is the Elk River. pic.twitter.com/m02GdyEjb0
— K Jacobs (@kljacobs55) May 15, 2020

U.S. 160 FLOODING: U.S. 160 from U.S. 75 west to K-99 is closed to through traffic. High water is one the roadway at several locations. Use alternate routes. #kswx pic.twitter.com/1nnN4eC7jU
— SEKansasKDOT (@SEKansasKDOT) May 15, 2020

Flooded roads in Independence, KS. @weatherchannel #kswx @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/NzxuiA7Jr9
— Charles Peek (@CharlesPeekWX) May 15, 2020

ðŸ“Leon, Kansas

Rushing water closes roads at Main and Lana. #kwch #kswx pic.twitter.com/3Or957TF06
— Kristen Boxman (@KWCHKristen) May 15, 2020

Early morning flooding here in Sedgwick, KS #kswx WATCH UNTIL THE END @NWSWichita pic.twitter.com/6SOgNASEzP
— Nicole Loeffler (@chaserchick17) May 15, 2020

The barricades are there for a reason in Independence, KS. Maybe an example of what not to do when faced with flooded roads?? @weatherchannel @NWSWichita #flooding @TevinWooten @JacquiJerasTV pic.twitter.com/D1eZLjXfC2
— Charles Peek (@CharlesPeekWX) May 15, 2020