Heavy rain is causing localized flooding in parts of Lyon County including Americus.
Flooding is occurring on Road 240 between Roads G and H. Part of Americus also are flooding. Flooding is being reported in Emporia as well. Take caution when driving.
The area is under a severe thunderstorm watch and no warnings have been issued at this time.
Never drive into flooded areas as it only takes a few inches of water to sweep a vehicle off the road.
Emporia Police Chief Gary Smith offered these flooding tips:
One Foot of Water Will Float Your Vehicle
Flash floods can happen rapidly and unexpectedly after a few minutes or hours of heavy rain fall. Those who live in flood prone areas should always be cognizant of the threat of flash floods when receiving significant rainfall.
Flood Safety Tips
* Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. If you have to travel carry a cell phone with a car charger.
* Purchase a weather scanner and heed all flood and flash flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
* Do not drive around barricades located at high water locations. TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN!
* Be especially vigilant at night. Many drowning deaths occur at night when it is difficult to see water crossings.
* Do not cross or enter flowing water. Driving fast through high water on the road is not a solution. Faster speeds create less tire contact with the road surface and increase your chance of crashing.
* Driving through standing water may affect your brakes. Test your brakes at low speeds as soon as you exit the water.
* If you choose to abandon your vehicle, respect the force of the water flow, you may be swept off your feet. After you exit the vehicle climb on top of your car and await rescue.
* Be aware that road erosion may occur when there is running or standing water.
* Remember that six inches of water will reach the bottoms of most car doors. One foot of water will float many vehicles, and two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles.
If your car goes into the water immediately crawl out the window and climb to the top of your car and await rescue crews.
Here is the weather statement from the National Weather Service:
STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE EAST AT 16 MPH
ACROSS PORTIONS OF LYON COUNTY. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER
RADAR INDICATED THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL...
STRONG WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH...TORRENTIAL RAINFALL...AND FREQUENT
LIGHTNING. SOME LOCATIONS THAT COULD BE AFFECTED INCLUDE EMPORIA.
MOTORISTS ALONG THE KANSAS TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 124 AND 133
COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED. MOTORISTS ALONG INTERSTATE 35 BETWEEN MILE
MARKERS 128 AND 140 COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED.
Comments
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Posted by mythoughts (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, as soon as the rain and hail LEFT Emporia, THEN they listed a severe thunderstorm warning for points east. What are we? fish bait? Why does it have to hit us before the weather service pays attention? Do we need a reporting station set up in Strong City?
I was caught out in it all, and it looked like almost every intersection downtown along 6th was flooded, plus, I think the Sweet Granada took on water. Must be the low point of the block. If this is the way things are going to go, maybe we need a new look at water runoff control. sheesh!
Posted by flexj66801 (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Every time it rains hard in Emporia you can count on something flooding. A large storm sewer was just installed near 8th & commercial, But it is on the east side of the road & the inlet is on the south east corner. There are countless storm sewers & catch basins around town that are plugged, collapsed, insufficient & so on. But the city does not have the manpower to maintain them all. There are far to many issues for the amount of workers to keep up with. Maybe some citizens complaining will enlighten those who feel running skeleton crews is a good idea.
Posted by blulitespecial (anonymous) on June 19, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw it coming on streaming radar 50 mi away.We're in Kansas... Ya know it's gonna rain,and anything can happen.
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