Thursday storms dropped more than 2 inches of rain – and in some areas much more – in much of Cowley and Sumner counties. That led to localized flooding in some areas.
The rain gauge at city hall in Ark City showed 2.37 inches had fallen for all of Thursday. At 5 a.m. yesterday, a rainfall rate of 4.8 inches per hour was recorded, an indicator of just how heavy the rainfall was at one point, according to Bob Frazee with emergency management in Ark City.
Unofficial totals from various sources showed 2.80 inches near Peck in Sumner County and 2.66 inches east of Arkansas City. A site southwest of Winfield recorded 2.55 inches, while other locations saw lesser amounts.
Multiple Wellington residents reported overnight totals of three inches or more and one reported an amount in excess of 4.5 inches. These, of course, are unofficial amounts.
A portion of the Kansas Turnpike between Wellington and Mulvane closed for a time due to flash flooding. It has since reopened.
No flooding issues are expected with the Walnut or Arkansas Rivers. Slate Creek was to have crested early this morning and then quickly recede.
Ark City and Wellington have 43 inches of rainfall year-to-date and Winfield is at just over 42 inches. Normal totals at this point in the year are 26 to 28 inches.