The Wichita Fire Department is asking residents to avoid low lying, flood prone areas, along with the Arkansas River and area creeks for the next several days. Saturated soil, due to recent rains, will make these areas more prone to flooding.
Emergency Services, including the Wichita Fire Department, have responded to 24 submersions calls since 7 p.m. last night. Many of these calls were preventable, if residents had not driven into water covered roadways or heeded warning signs.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flooding Watch and Hazardous Weather warning for Wichita and the surrounding areas until 7 a.m. Saturday morning. Storms are expected to develop this evening, with storm chances increasing after dark over south central Kansas. High rain fall rates (2-3 inches per hour) will be likely with any of the storms this evening through the overnight hours, which may cause additional flooding. 60-70 mile per hour winds will also be possible with the stronger storms, along with up to half dollar size hail.
“Please avoid flood prone areas and roads which are covered with water” said Wichita Fire Chief, Ronald D. Blackwell. “Take extra time to re-route any trip you may take to avoid these areas.”
Please stay tuned to local media outlets for additional information concerning storm activity.
