Month: July 2017

Flash flood warning extended until 8:30 a.m. Thursday

I-35 at 18th Street Expressway about 5:45 a.m. Thursday. Southbound I-35 was closed at 18th Street Expressway. (KC Scout photo)

Update: Flash flooding has been reported in the Kansas City area. Southbound I-35 was closed at 18th Street Expressway because of flooding, according to a highway spokesman.

Update: Bulletin:

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for northern Wyandotte County, as well as northern Leavenworth County, Clay County, Platte County and central Jackson County.

At 1:33 a.m., radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the area. Areas just north of downtown Kansas City, Mo., saw close to 6 inches of rain from a previous round of storms.

Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible through the night.

Flash flooding is occurring or expected to begin shortly.

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small
creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as
well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Wyandotte County in effect until 1:45 a.m. Thursday.

The warning is for northeastern Wyandotte County, southwestern Clay County, southeastern Platte County and northwestern Jackson County.

At 9:50 p.m. Wednesday, local law enforcement reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area, the weather service said. Up to two inches of rain have already fallen, and flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.

Residents are advised to turn around and do not try to go through flooded areas. Be especially cautious at night.

The National Weather Service has expanded a flash flood watch to include Wyandotte County and surrounding counties.

The flash flood watch was issued until 7 a.m. Thursday.

Thunderstorms with heavy rain moved through Wyandotte County this evening and may continue tonight, with rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches per hour in places. Total amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible, according to the weather service.

Excessive rainfall may result in flooding of low-lying or poor drainage areas, creeks and streams, as well as urban areas, the weather service said. In addition to the flash flood hazard, rising river levels also are possible, according to the weather service.

Residents are advised to monitor the weather and not try to cross flooded streets.

KU School of Medicine volunteers for Community Service Day in Wyandotte County

Jim Barnett, a first-year medical student, trimmed the shrubs at Hillcrest Transitional Housing. (Photo courtesy of KU Medical Center)

Armed with paint brushes, weed whackers, brooms and loads of enthusiasm, 179 students from the University of Kansas School of Medicine clad in blue “We Are KU” T-shirts fanned out to 14 locations across Wyandotte County Wednesday to volunteer their time as part of Community Service Day.

Community Service Day is traditionally part of the orientation process for incoming medical students at KU Medical Center, and it helps introduce them to the community where they will be living for the next four years. Students spent half a day at locations ranging from the Duchesne Clinic to Cross-Lines Community Outreach providing support in any way they could.

“This is really, really important for the students to get a feeling for what the community is all about, and to set the stage for their next four years and beyond,” said Marybeth Gentry, founder and executive director of Young Women on the Move. “It helps give them a better perspective of some of the situations they’ll be seeing in the clinics. I believe this is a win-win for us, and our young ladies, and the School of Medicine.”

This is the first of two Community Service Days that KU Medical Center students are part of each year. On Aug. 17, students from the Schools of Nursing and Health Professions will volunteer their time working with service organizations in Wyandotte County.

– Photo and story from Greg Peters, communications coordinator, University of Kansas Medical Center