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Flooding closes roads across south central Kansas

Flooding closes roads across south central Kansas

Flooding closes roads across south central Kansas

THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE

Some roads are still closed across Kansas as rivers continue to rise. Runoff from the storms this week is flowing and leading already flooded rivers to rise even higher across south central Kansas.

The Arkansas River is flooding in Reno and Sedgwick Counties. The river was measured at 13.9 feet in Derby, passing its flood stage of 12 feet. Near Mulvane, the Arkansas River is at 18.6 feet and expected to rise past 20 feet. The flood stage in Mulvane is 16.5 feet. Significant river flooding will continue into the weekend, with impacts through next week for some rivers.

Northbound and southbound lanes of the Turnpike between South Haven and Wellington are still closed because of floodwater flowing over the road. The Kansas Turnpike Authority says drivers can use Highway 81 near Wellington to get to Oklahoma. KFDI received a report Highway 81 is closed north of Belle Plaine, so highway traffic would need to detour east to Udall, then use K-15 to get to Wichita.


ORIGINAL STORY

Cities and counties in south central Kansas have been dealing with flooding in the aftermath of heavy rains and storms that have moved through the area this week.

The city of Augusta set up a detour to allow motorists to avoid high water on 7th Street, but most drivers were staying on 7th and going slow to get through the flooded section.  Walnut was closed at the south city limits.   A flood warning was issued for the Whitewater River, which was over its banks and flooding the surrounding area.    A number of water rescues were conducted Tuesday night as severe storms moved through the area.

The city of Derby closed some streets because of flooding from Spring Creek.   Sections of Madison Avenue and Meadowlark were closed east of the city.

A number of roads were closed across Reno, Harvey, Butler and Sumner counties.

The Kansas Turnpike reopened to traffic between Mulvane and Wellington, but it was still closed from Wellington south to the South Haven exit because of flooding from Slate Creek.

Butler County emergency management officials said a tornado briefly touched down about three miles southeast of Augusta during the storms late Tuesday and early Wednesday.   The tornado caused some minor tree damage and it was rated an EF-0.   The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning when radar indicated rotation east of Augusta.

Schools were closed Wednesday in several communities, including Augusta, Mulvane, Rose Hill, and Wellington because of the flooding.   Belle Plaine, USD 357, will not have classes Thursday and Friday.

 

 

 

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