Alert archive / Missouri / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 55, NWS Kansas City, MO

July 16, 2026Pettis County, Missouri

NWS Kansas City, MO issued this flash flood warning at Jul 16, 2026, 5:49 PM CDT for Pettis County, Missouri. It was in force for 2 hr. 13 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 16, 2026, 5:49 PM CDT (22:49 UTC)
Expired
Jul 16, 2026, 7:50 PM CDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Kansas City, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Pettis County, MO

The radar

The Pleasant Hill radar (KEAX), 90 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:52 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 16, 5:50 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Nnw Sedalia, MOSocial media report and photos of inundation of several neighborhood roads on the north side of Sedalia. Time based on social media reports.
Jul 16, 5:52 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ese Sedalia, MOCenter Avenue with 1 to 2 feet of water inundation.
Jul 16, 5:54 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 E Sedalia, MOSeveral areas between Broadway and 12th are flooded and impassable.
Jul 16, 5:57 PM CDTFLASH FLOODSedalia, MOVehicle stuck in flood waters in Sedalia.
Jul 16, 6:00 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 E Sedalia, MOSeveral social media reports and videos of significant flooding along 12th Street for several blocks. Time based on social media reports.
Jul 16, 6:00 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 W Sedalia, MOCulvert partially removed from beneath the road.
Jul 16, 6:02 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ese Sedalia, MOFlooding reported near 16th and Engineer.
Jul 16, 6:04 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 Sw Sedalia, MOWater over the road near 32nd and Limit.
Jul 16, 6:05 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Sw Sedalia Memorial A, MOBroadway and Route M intersection was inundated by flood waters. Time based on social media report.
Jul 16, 6:05 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Wsw Sedalia, MOFlooding closed 16th and Sneed. Time based on social media report.
Jul 16, 6:05 PM CDTFLASH FLOODSedalia, MOIngram Avenue inundated with water near the hospital.
Jul 16, 6:15 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD1 Sw Sedalia Memorial A, MOU.S. Highway 50 near the railroad tracks is inundated with flood waters.
Jul 16, 6:25 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 Nw Sedalia Memorial A, MOTwo vehicles stuck in flood waters on Griessen Road.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 13 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 1 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 12:00Z, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 210 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Springfield, MO at 12:00Z on 2026-07-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 511 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Springfield, MO at 12:00Z on 2026-07-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -6 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
511 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-42 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
789 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
10 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-6 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-9 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

996 
WGUS53 KEAX 162249
FFWEAX
MOC159-170100-
/O.NEW.KEAX.FF.W.0055.260716T2249Z-260717T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
549 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  East Central Pettis County in central Missouri...

* Until 800 PM CDT.

* At 549 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported flash flooding in
  Sedalia. Several roads are under water and impassable in town.
  Flash flooding is already occurring.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing
           flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Sedalia, Smithton and Sedalia Memorial Arpt.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3876 9332 3866 9333 3866 9309 3880 9309
      3878 9323

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

CMS
2 follow-up statements
791 
WGUS73 KEAX 162334
FFSEAX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
634 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

MOC159-170100-
/O.CON.KEAX.FF.W.0055.000000T0000Z-260717T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Pettis MO-
634 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR EAST CENTRAL PETTIS COUNTY...

At 634 PM CDT, local law enforcement reported flash flooding in
Sedalia. Several roads remain flooded and impassable in and around
town at this time. Flash flooding is already occurring.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash
         flooding.

SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban
         areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Sedalia, Smithton and Sedalia Memorial Arpt.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3876 9332 3866 9333 3866 9309 3880 9309
      3878 9323

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

CMS
204 
WGUS73 KEAX 170050 RRA
FFSEAX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
750 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

MOC159-170100-
/O.CAN.KEAX.FF.W.0055.000000T0000Z-260717T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Pettis MO-
750 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR EAST CENTRAL PETTIS COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3876 9332 3866 9333 3866 9309 3880 9309
      3878 9323

$$

BT

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Kansas City, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 16, 1:26 PM CDT, 4 hours 23 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue this afternoon and evening. Heavy downpours and gusty winds are anticipated, but severe weather is unlikely.
  • Heat and humidity continue for the next several days. Temperatures and heat indices elevate through the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 16, 1:26 PM CDT, 4 hours 23 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
126 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue this afternoon
  and evening. Heavy downpours and gusty winds are anticipated,
  but severe weather is unlikely.

- Heat and humidity continue for the next several days.
  Temperatures and heat indices elevate through the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 113 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

Routine summer time programming continues for the region as high
temperatures today reach just about seasonal normals although
clouds and showers may slow the thermal ascent. A high over low
block continues to dominate the pattern over the central CONUS.
General southerly flow across the center of the country propels
a gradual, yet continual, increase in warm air and moisture
across the area.

Moisture transport is expected to expand northward today which when
coupled with increased warm air advection and diurnally enhanced
instability is likely to generate some air mass thunderstorms this
afternoon and evening. Some subtle vorticity advection aloft and
slight low level convergence will create just enough lift to
initiate convective development. Shear and mid level lapse rates are
fairly meager which curtails expectation of robust convection;
however, abnormally high PWAT values of 2-2.5 inches (>90
Percentile) do present an opportune environment for isolated heavy
rain showers. These downpours could result in rainfall rates of 1-2
inches per hour, with locally higher rate possible, which may lead
to some flash flooding and pooling from runoff. Storm motions are
also quite slow which may exacerbate impacts of heavy rainfall.
Storms are expected to be fairly pulse like with updrafts
developing and raining out fairly quickly. Unfortunately,
coverage of these storms is expected to be scattered so some may
receive all of the rain and some none. The good news is those
that receive the rain should experience a temporary cooldown
from the heat as highs reach the 90s for most and heat index
values reach 95-100 degrees. However, it is likely that post
storm conditions will feel more muggy and uncomfortable as
fresh rainfall evaporates. Rain chances through the rest of the
week look fairly marginal. There is some indication for
potential MCS activity mainly over the eastern parts of the
region early Friday morning; however, much of the activity is
expected to remain further east.

As the week rolls on ridging continues to dominate. The low over the
US/MEX border shrinks and meanders southward. This continues the
flow of warm air and moisture into the region steadily raising highs
into the mid to upper 90s by the weekend. Heat indices raise in kind
with expectations of around 100F by the weekend peaking around 100-
105F Monday. Current guidance suggests a 70+ percent chance of
exceeding 100F heat indicies and a 25 percent chances of advisory
level heat indicies on Sunday and Monday.

More of the same is expected in the extended forecast. Additional
rain chances return with a passing system early Tuesday morning, but
again, the main activity is expected to remain further east.
Extended guidance does show a potential for a break from the heat
mid next week as a dramatic push of cooler air is anticipated
to move southward from interior Canada. This looks to
significantly alter the pattern over the CONUS. However, with
such notable impact expected at this forecast scale, it is
important to account for potential deviations as those will
significantly affect the long term outlook.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 125 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

Scattered TSRA in VC of the terminals is expected to continue
through sunset. The current area of storms extending from MCI to
VER is expected to slowly move northward with additional
development possible ahead of this line over the next 4 hours.
Otherwise VFR conditions are anticipated with winds shifting
from southeasterly to southwesterly by sunrise tomorrow. Models
do show some minimal chances for BR/FG with near surface
evaporation overnight, but uncertainty for it remains high.

&&

.EAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...None.
KS...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Pesel
AVIATION...Pesel
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 16, 5:04 AM CDT, 12 hours 45 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
0504 AM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

KSZ025-057-060-102>105-MOZ001>008-011>017-020>025-028>033-037>040-
043>046-053-054-171004-
Atchison KS-Miami-Linn KS-Doniphan-Leavenworth-Wyandotte-Johnson KS-
Atchison MO-Nodaway-Worth-Gentry-Harrison-Mercer-Putnam-Schuyler-
Holt-Andrew-De Kalb-Daviess-Grundy-Sullivan-Adair-Buchanan-Clinton-
Caldwell-Livingston-Linn MO-Macon-Platte-Clay-Ray-Carroll-Chariton-
Randolph-Jackson-Lafayette-Saline-Howard-Cass-Johnson MO-Pettis-
Cooper-Bates-Henry-
0504 AM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest...north central and
west central Missouri...as well as extreme eastern Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Through tonight.

There is a low probability of widespread hazardous weather.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please go to https://weather.gov/media/eax/DssPacket.pdf for more information on
potential weather hazards.

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to scattered thunderstorms (25-50%) are forecast this
  afternoon and early this afternoon, mainly south of I-70.
  While severe weather is not expected, the storms could
  produce brief gusty winds and heavy rainfall.

- Temperature and humidity levels will continue to gradually
  climb, reaching the lower 90s today and Friday, the lower to
  middle 90s this weekend, and peaking in the middle to upper
  90s on Monday.

- Heat index values will reach the upper 90s to lower 100s
  Friday through this weekend, peaking around 100 to 110
  degrees on Monday.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 16, 4:38 PM CDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
438 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0434 PM     Flash Flood      2 ESE Pittsville        38.84N 93.95W
07/16/2026                   Johnson            MO   Emergency Mngr

            Water over U.S. Highway 50 near the 1100
            block.

&&

CMS
Local storm report, Jul 16, 5:15 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
515 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0510 PM     Flash Flood      1 SSE Warrensburg       38.75N 93.73W
07/16/2026                   Johnson            MO   Emergency Mngr

            Water over the road at Zoll Street and
            Larkin Court.

&&

CMS
Local storm report, Jul 16, 5:17 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
517 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0515 PM     Flash Flood      1 N Warrensburg         38.77N 93.74W
07/16/2026                   Johnson            MO   Public

            Street flooding reported near Route 13, and
            a business reported flooding on their
            property as well. Social media report.

&&

CMS
Local storm report, Jul 16, 5:25 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
525 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0518 PM     Flash Flood      1 SW Warrensburg        38.75N 93.75W
07/16/2026                   Johnson            MO   Emergency Mngr

            Flooding reported on Main Street in
            Warrensburg.

0518 PM     Flash Flood      1 E Warrensburg         38.76N 93.72W
07/16/2026                   Johnson            MO   Emergency Mngr

            Water over the road near Gay Street and
            Creach Drive.

&&

CMS
Local storm report, Jul 16, 5:40 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
540 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0539 PM     Flash Flood      1 ENE Sedalia           38.71N 93.21W
07/16/2026                   Pettis             MO   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Water nearly two feet deep over and just
            west of portions of New York Avenue.

&&

CMS
Local storm report, Jul 16, 5:43 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant HIll MO
543 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0542 PM     Flash Flood      Sedalia                 38.70N 93.23W
07/16/2026                   Pettis             MO   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Flooding reported on Washington Avenue near
            16th Street.

&&

CMS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Kansas City, MO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 16, 1:26 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEAXCass, Jackson3 hr
Jul 16, 1:49 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningEAXJackson2 hr
Jul 16, 2:04 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEAXBates, Cass3 hr
Jul 16, 2:07 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEAXClay, Jackson3 hr
Jul 16, 2:42 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningEAXJackson3 hr
Jul 16, 3:20 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEAXChariton, Randolph3 hr
Jul 16, 3:35 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEAXCass, Henry, Jackson, Johnson3 hr
Jul 16, 4:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementEAXJohnson45 min
Jul 16, 4:05 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningEAXJohnson, Lafayette3 hr
Jul 16, 4:52 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryEAXJohnson, Pettis37 min
Jul 16, 5:13 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningEAXJohnson, Pettis3 hr
Jul 16, 5:50 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningEAXCooper105 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Missouri, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.