PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (KS) Wide spread flooding across the state of Kansas

Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 16:09:00 EDT

Summary: Continued heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding with additional rainfall forecast throughout the next seven days.

Widespread rain has been persistent throughout Kansas falling on generally saturated ground. As much as 6 inches of rain has fallen south and east of Wichita, Kansas over the last 24 hours with a large portion of the state receiving greater than 3 inches of rainfall during that period of time. Many of the places receiving significant amounts of rain are the same as those struck by flooding earlier this month.

Sixty-three streamgages are currently above flood stage. Reports of planned voluntary evacuations have been coming in from local emergency management officials in several communities due to the flooding. The current QPF indicates large areas will receive an additional 3 inches of rainfall with some locations having the potential for an additional 7 inches of rainfall over the next 7 days. Some locations are expected to meet or exceed peaks of record which were previously set earlier this month. With the forecast rainfall over the next several days, it is possible that Tuttle Creek Lake (currently 51' above conservation pool, 59 years of record) and Perry Lake (currently 24' above conservation pool, 50 years of record) may set new record high elevations.

No gages have been damaged or destroyed as a result of flooding.

Nine crews have been deployed to obtain measurements of discharge and two crews have been deployed for runoff sampling.

USGS remains in contact with USACE, NWS, local emergency management officials, and other stakeholders.