Flood Warning Issued for Little Osage River as Rain Continues Across Region
National Weather Service warns of potential flash flooding across 15 counties as Little Osage River expected to crest above flood stage tomorrow evening.
SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI — The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings and watches across portions of southeast Kansas and central Missouri as excessive rainfall threatens rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas through this afternoon.
A flood watch remains in effect until 1:00 PM CDT today for portions of southeast Kansas, including Bourbon County, and fourteen Missouri counties: Benton, Camden, Cedar, Dallas, Hickory, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Morgan, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, St. Clair, and Vernon. The watch was issued at 2:15 AM CDT by the National Weather Service office in Springfield.
Additional rainfall amounts of one to two inches are expected, with localized higher amounts reaching up to four inches in some areas. Officials warn that excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other flood-prone locations.
Little Osage River Flooding Expected
More serious flooding is forecast along the Little Osage River, where a flood warning continues until 11:48 PM CDT Thursday. The warning affects areas near Horton in Vernon County, Missouri, and Fulton in Bourbon County, Kansas.
At 1:45 AM CDT Tuesday, the Little Osage River near Horton measured 36.8 feet. The river is expected to rise above flood stage late this afternoon, reaching a crest of 41.8 feet tomorrow evening before falling below flood stage Thursday afternoon.
Minor flooding affects low-lying areas near the gauge site and farmland along the river when the water level reaches 41.0 feet, which is considered flood stage. Bankfull stage for the Little Osage River is also 41.0 feet.
Safety Precautions Urged
Weather service officials remind residents that flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall remains possible throughout the warning period. The combination of saturated ground conditions and additional heavy rainfall creates dangerous conditions for rapid water rise in typically dry areas.
Residents in affected counties are advised to monitor local conditions and avoid driving through flooded roadways. The National Weather Service provides additional flood safety information at weather.gov/safety/flood.
The flood watch issued early Tuesday morning highlights ongoing concerns about weather conditions that have already saturated much of the region. Forecasters continue monitoring rainfall patterns and river levels as the weather system moves through the area.
