Early July Severe Weather and Flooding

Overview

A storm system moving out of Colorado on July 2, 2016 allowed severe storms to develop along a trough of low pressure over south central Kansas. The storms developed in a very moist and unstable airmass and moved slowly eastward across the area resulting in torrential rain and flooding as well as severe weather across a large portion of the area.

As the storm system moved slowly eastward across the region during the overnight hours, a developing low level jet allowed other storms over western Kansas to expand in coverage as they propagated into south central Kansas resulting in widespread heavy rain and flooding across the forecast area.

Radar data from July 1-2nd, 2016


Strong downburst over West Wichita courtesy of @HRRRison from Twitter	Rainfall totals over the 48 hour period	The Cowskin Creek over its banks west of Maize Road. Photo courtesy of Kevin Darmofal

Tornado
Wind & Hail
Flooding

Tornadoes:

Image of the tornado near Olmitz, KS courtesy of @FreddyMcKinneyR from Twitter

Wind and Hail:

The largest verified hail report was 1.5'' in Barton county associated with the supercell that briefly produced a cone tornado. The highest measured wind speed occurred at McConnell Air Force Base where three consecutive observations measured 63-75mph. Significant tree damage occurred in Kechi along with a destroyed fireworks tent. Butler county was also hit hard with thunderstorm winds where an outbuilding was destroyed along with significant tree damage, and a camper and propane tank being rolled east of El Dorado. Also, in the city of El Dorado a fireworks tent was destroyed.

Wind


A firework tent was destroyed in Kechi due to severe downburst winds. Photo courtesy of @KAKEAustin

Flooding

Significant flash flooding developed after multiple rounds of torrential rain impacted many locations across south central Kansas. Kechi, Kansas was hit particularly hard where many homes and farmsteads where surrounded by at least 1-2 feet of waters. Numerous roads were closed across the Wichita Metro and surrounding communities which resulted in a busy night for first responders as numerous cars were reportedly stalled out due to high waters. The initial flash flooding then turned into river flooding, where many rivers across south central Kansas were impacted prompting the closures of many low water crossings and other flooded roadways across south central Kansas.

Hydrographs

Radar/Photos


Flooding along the Cowskin Creek. Photo courtesy of Kevin Darmofal	Flash flooding along HWY 254 at the 61st St, and Woodlawn exit. Photo courtesy of @HRRRison from Twitter.	Debris along the fence lines shows how high the water got just southwest of Park City. Photo courtesy of @SBaumanKS from Twitter.

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