The severe thunderstorms that moved through south central Kansas Tuesday evening led to a number of flash flood warnings as streets and low-lying areas became flooded.
Police and emergency crews were busy late Tuesday night with a number of reports of stalled vehicles, and police were urging people to avoid getting out on the streets. The heavy rain limited visibility and made driving difficult, and a number of drivers ended up stalling in high water.
Police placed barricades on a number of streets in Wichita, including sections of Harry, Pawnee, 31st Street South, and Oliver. Madison Avenue and Woodlawn in Derby were closed during the night because of high water, but the streets reopened Wednesday morning.
Rainfall amounts ranged from 2.5 to 4.5 inches across south central Kansas. Rainfall topped 5 inches in Elk County.
The National Weather Service said preliminary monthly rainfall at Eisenhower National Airport was 12.97 inches, which is 2nd on the all time monthly precipitation for May. 2008 remains the wettest May on record in Wichita with 13.14 inches.
A flood warning remains in effect through 1:45 p.m. Thursday for Sedgwick, Kingman, Harvey and Butler counties, and flood warnings are also in effect for rivers and creeks across south central and southeast Kansas.
[photo: Wichita Police Department ]
