Flash Flood — Douglas, Nebraska

2025-07-31 · near Valley, Douglas, Nebraska

Event narrative

On the morning of July 31st, 2025, a storm brought heavy, intense rainfall to the Omaha metropolitan area, causing flash flooding in both Douglas and Sarpy counties. Between 4:00 AM and 7:30 AM CST, the West Papillion Creek at Elkhorn experienced a rapid rise in water levels. The creek crested at 11.20 feet around 4:30 AM CST, which is above the flood stage. This surge was due to an intense downpour, with rainfall rates estimated at 1.50 to 3.00 inches per hour, and total accumulations reaching 3.15 to 4.03 inches in some areas. A National Weather Service (NWS) employee corroborated the impact of this flooding, reporting that floodwaters had covered the eastbound lane of West Maple Road east of the creek, with a stalled car visible in the high water.

Wider weather episode

On the morning of July 31, 2025, a slow-moving, efficient rainfall-producing thunderstorm impacted the Omaha metropolitan area. Rainfall rates under the heaviest showers were estimated at 1.50 to 3.00 inches per hour. Radar estimates placed total rainfall between 1.25 and 4.00 inches, with observed reports ranging from 3.15 to 4.03 inches across western portions of the Omaha metro in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. Multiple flash flood reports were received, including water partially covering U.S. Highway 6 between Ashland and Gretna at 5:37 AM CST, and water covering West Maple Road near West Papillion Creek, with a stalled vehicle reported in the water at 6:41 AM CST.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.3527, -96.3921)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1283577. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.