Flash Flood — Montgomery, Kansas

2018-08-14 · near Elk City Lake, Montgomery, Kansas

Event narrative

Torrential rains within a bowl shaped landscape produced catastrophic flooding of Racket Creek. Rainfall amounts up to 8.5 inches fell in an isolated area in which the creek ran between a pair of elevated regions causing significant and rapid rises of the creek. Water was estimated to be approximately 4 feet above road level and rushing rapidly. It was reported that the gentlemen were driving a pickup and may have encountered an obstacle in the rushing waters causing them to stop. The rushing waters overcame the vehicle and swept it off of the road and into the creek channel. It was estimated that the depth of the creek base to the roadway was about 15 to 20 feet.

Wider weather episode

Very heavy rains occurred across portions of southeast Kansas producing prolific flash flooding. Unfortunately, two people lost their lives while trying to drive across a water covered road. Rainfall amounts up 8.5 inches were noted.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.2950, -95.7939)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 774545. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.