September 12th record rainfall & flash flooding

A record amount of rain fell in the Wichita Area on September 12th, 2008. The NWS office at the Wichita Mid-Continent Airport measured 10.31 inches of rainfall on September 12th. This total not only breaks the daily record rainfall for September 12th in Wichita, but it also breaks the 24 hour rainfall total of 7.99 inches that has been held since September 6-7, 1911.

Other Records Broken or Interesting facts for September rainfall:

September Monthly Record: While it's only the 12th of the month, the monthly total already breaks the previous record of 10.69 set in Sept. 1999.

5th Wettest Month: September ranks as the 5th wettest month ever with 12.41 inches. (Caveat: on September 13th as of 4pm, another 0.53 inches of rain has fallen, moving the ranking to the 4th Wettest Month).

5th Wettest Fall: While Fall is considered Sept-Nov. We've already logged the 5th wettest fall. How far we might make it up that list remains to be seen.

2nd in Annual Precipitation: So far this year we've received 46.61 inches, which is second behind 50.48 inches in 1951. Time will only tell how close we will get to breaking the record. Less than 4 more inches of water is needed for the remaining 3 and half months to break the record.

A stationary boundary interacted with the tropical remnants of Lowell. The rain kept training along in the same location, which was unfortunately right over south central Kansas, including the city of Wichita. In addition to the street flooding, the Cowskin Creek and other small creeks overflowed with the torrential rainfall. The flooded roads caused a headache for Wichita residents as it peaked during rush hour. Over 100 vehicles were stranded due to high water in Wichita along with many flooded homes.

In addition to the Cowskin Creek in Wichita, many other flood warnings had been issued for rivers in south central and southeast Kansas. Those rivers include: the Arkansas River, the Ninnescah River, the Walnut River, the Whitewater River, the Chikaskia River, the Cottonwood River, and the Neosho River.

Pictures from the Flooding in West Wichita

Photo by Brad Ketcham around 20th and Maize road

Photo taken by Brad Ketcham around 20th and Maize road

Photo taken by Brad Ketcham near 20th and Maize road.