Flood in Saline County, Kansas

Numerous, slow-moving thunderstorms produced widespread 4 to 7 inch rainfall amounts across primarily the northwestern two-thirds of Saline County from the evening hours on May 23rd, to the early morning hours on May 24th. Excessive runoff from this heavy rain caused widespread countywide flooding for days. Numerous rural and city roads were closed due to high water. The Mulberry Creek reached record flood stage during the late afternoon hours of the 24th, resulting in road closures and evacuations across portions of Salina. Mandatory evacuations were needed in the communities of Hedville and Bavaria, due to the rapidly rising Mulberry and Spring Creeks. The rising Smoky Hill River effectively closed all roads leading in and out of New Cambria. Some water rescues were needed across the county, but there were no reported injuries. Numerous homes and businesses received extensive flood damage, as well as various roads and one bridge across the county. Additionally, the Salina Municipal Aiport terminal building received fairly extensive flood damage. Roughly $3.5 million in public damages was suffered across the county, with likely around $3 million in private damages.

A stalled frontal boundary resulted in numerous, slow-moving strong to severe thunderstorms across portions of central and south-central Kansas from the afternoon hours on May 23rd, to the early morning hours on May 24th. In addition to large hail and high winds, very heavy rainfall amounts occurred over a short period of time, resulting in widespread urban and rural flash flooding across the area. Additionally, excessive runoff produced river and stream flooding for days, inflicting millions of dollars in damages to roads, businesses and homes.