Alert archive / Missouri / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 26, NWS Springfield, MO
NWS Springfield, MO issued this flash flood warning at May 18, 2026, 3:19 PM CDT for 5 counties in Missouri. It was in force for 5 hr. 1 report 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
- May 18, 2026, 3:19 PM CDT (20:19 UTC)
- Expired
- May 18, 2026, 7:54 PM CDT
- In force
- 5 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Springfield, MO
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Benton County, MO, Camden County, MO, Hickory County, MO, Miller County, MO, Morgan County, MO
The radar
The Springfield radar (KSGF), 106 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:21 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 4:05 PM CDT | FLASH FLOOD | 2 Se Macks Creek, MO | Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a swift water rescue at the low water bridge. |
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 one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 46 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, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 155 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1923 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -19 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 753 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 31 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 348 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 421 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 3.1
- Supercell composite
- 17.4
The text
As transmitted.
395
WGUS53 KSGF 182019
FFWSGF
MOC015-029-085-131-141-190100-
/O.NEW.KSGF.FF.W.0026.260518T2019Z-260519T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
319 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southeastern Benton County in central Missouri...
Camden County in central Missouri...
Northeastern Hickory County in central Missouri...
West Central Miller County in central Missouri...
Southern Morgan County in central Missouri...
* Until 800 PM CDT.
* At 319 PM CDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up
to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Osage Beach, Camdenton, Village of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark,
Laurie, Macks Creek, Sunrise Beach, Linn Creek, Gravois Mills,
Climax Springs, Bagnell, Lakeside, Barnumton, Purvis, Hurricane
Deck, Green Bay Terrace, Roach, Old Linn Creek, Knobby, Rocky
Mount, Branch, Edwards, Lakeview, Decaturville, Hastain, Lake of
The Ozarks, Ha Ha Tonka State Park and Lake of The Ozarks State
Park.
This includes the following low water crossings...
Rainy Creek at Knobby Road, Blue Springs Creek at Highway Z, Kolb
Branch at Kolb Hollow Road, Little Niangua at County Road 200,
Little Niangua at County Road 66, Macks Creek at Coffey Hollow
Road and Deer Creek at Highway V.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Many flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3806 9315 3823 9324 3827 9308 3834 9275
3835 9262 3817 9259 3816 9260 3790 9270
3790 9306 3790 9307 3800 9321
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
EW2 follow-up statements
003
WGUS73 KSGF 182115
FFSSGF
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
415 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
MOC015-029-085-131-141-190100-
/O.CON.KSGF.FF.W.0026.000000T0000Z-260519T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Benton MO-Camden MO-Hickory MO-Miller MO-Morgan MO-
415 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING
FOR SOUTHEASTERN BENTON, CAMDEN, NORTHEASTERN HICKORY, WEST CENTRAL
MILLER AND SOUTHERN MORGAN COUNTIES...
At 415 PM CDT, Local law enforcement reported flooding was occurring
due to heavy rainfall that occurred with thunderstorms across the
warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional
rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash
flooding is already occurring.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Law enforcement reported.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Osage Beach, Camdenton, Village of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark,
Laurie, Macks Creek, Sunrise Beach, Linn Creek, Gravois Mills,
Climax Springs, Bagnell, Lakeside, Barnumton, Purvis, Hurricane
Deck, Green Bay Terrace, Roach, Old Linn Creek, Knobby, Rocky
Mount, Branch, Edwards, Lakeview, Decaturville, Hastain, Lake of
The Ozarks, Ha Ha Tonka State Park and Lake of The Ozarks State
Park.
This includes the following low water crossings...
Rainy Creek at Knobby Road, Blue Springs Creek at Highway Z, Kolb
Branch at Kolb Hollow Road, Little Niangua at County Road 200,
Little Niangua at County Road 66, Macks Creek at Coffey Hollow
Road and Deer Creek at Highway V.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Many flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3806 9315 3823 9324 3827 9308 3834 9275
3835 9262 3817 9259 3816 9260 3790 9270
3790 9306 3790 9307 3800 9321
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
$$
EW333
WGUS73 KSGF 190054
FFSSGF
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
754 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
MOC015-029-085-131-141-190104-
/O.CAN.KSGF.FF.W.0026.000000T0000Z-260519T0100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Benton MO-Camden MO-Hickory MO-Miller MO-Morgan MO-
754 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHEASTERN BENTON, CAMDEN,
NORTHEASTERN HICKORY, WEST CENTRAL MILLER AND SOUTHERN MORGAN
COUNTIES...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 100 PM CDT Tuesday for
portions of southeast Kansas and Missouri.
&&
LAT...LON 3806 9315 3823 9324 3827 9308 3834 9275
3835 9262 3817 9259 3816 9260 3790 9270
3790 9306 3790 9307 3800 9321
$$
PCWhat 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 Springfield, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 18, 1:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 48 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A Moderate Risk (3 out of 4) for thunderstorms with heavy rainfall that may result in flash flooding this afternoon and another round overnight. A Flood Watch in effect for an area north of Interstate 44 towards the Highway 54 corridor. Additional rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches.
- A Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for a few strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon. Primary hazard is damaging wind gusts and large hail to the size of quarters.
- A Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms overnight tonight into Tuesday. A line of thunderstorms expected to quickly move through the area, with the primary hazard being damaging wind gusts. There is a lower chance for a few, brief tornadoes.
- Additional rainfall chances (40-70%) mid to late week along with cooler temperatures.
Area forecast discussion, May 18, 1:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 48 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
131 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A Moderate Risk (3 out of 4) for thunderstorms with heavy
rainfall that may result in flash flooding this afternoon and
another round overnight. A Flood Watch in effect for an area
north of Interstate 44 towards the Highway 54 corridor.
Additional rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches.
- A Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for a few strong to severe
thunderstorms this afternoon. Primary hazard is damaging wind
gusts and large hail to the size of quarters.
- A Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms overnight
tonight into Tuesday. A line of thunderstorms expected to
quickly move through the area, with the primary hazard being
damaging wind gusts. There is a lower chance for a few, brief
tornadoes.
- Additional rainfall chances (40-70%) mid to late week along
with cooler temperatures.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 100 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
Current Conditions and Synoptic Overview: Water vapor and upper
air analysis shows southwest flow aloft with a strong shortwave
over Colorado. There is a compact shortwave currently moving
into Arkansas. While the low level jet has weakened, it remains
out of the southwest around 35-40kts over the area. An outflow
boundary from overnight storms was beginning to wash out however
it remains west to east from about Barton County east/northeast
to Phelps county. A moist and unstable airmass continues over
the area with the 12Z sounding measuring 2500j/kg MU CAPE and
0-6km shear around 30kts. Thunderstorms continue to develop
along and north of that outflow boundary, especially in the
Flood Watch area. Temperatures varied drastically with 60s
along/north of Highway 54 to lower 80s further south.
Thunderstorm/Flood Threat This Afternoon: Latest meso trends and
12z HREF/REFS supports continued development of scattered
thunderstorms this afternoon over the northern half of the area.
Given the CAPE/Shear combo, a few severe storms are possible
with large hail and damaging winds the most likely hazards.
Flash flooding will be a concern in the Flood Watch area,
especially locations that have received several inches of
rainfall already. There should be a decreasing trend in storm
coverage closer to 6-9pm.
Round of thunderstorms Overnight/Tuesday: Confidence is high
that significant severe storms will develop in Kansas this
afternoon and evening along a cold front and an area of high
shear and high instability. The storms look to quickly grow
upscale into a QLCS and will expand southwest towards Oklahoma.
Latest guidance suggests that the QLCS will move southeast and
enter our southeast Kansas and western Missouri counties shortly
after midnight. ML CAPE around 1500j/kg and 0-3km shear around
30kts will allow for the potential for damaging winds to be the
most likely hazard as this line of storms moves southeast
through the area. We will need to monitor for any line segments
that can surge/pivot to the east-northeast as there will be a
potential for a brief tornado, especially locations west of
Highway 65. There remains uncertainty with respect to the exact
timing of the line as it moves through the area however it
should be along the I-44 corridor in the 4am to 8am time frame.
The instability levels will continue to decrease overnight
therefore an overall weakening trend seems likely as storms move
southeast of I-44 early Tuesday morning. Additional rainfall
amounts of 1-3 inches is possible with the storms overnight. We
did extend the Flood Watch until 18Z Tuesday to account for the
next round of rainfall.
The remainder of Tuesday is uncertain as there are questions
about how fast the front moves through the area during the day.
There are a few CAMS that suggest that storms intensify during
the afternoon, mainly southeast of I-44. Large hail and damaging
winds would be the most likely hazards if storms
redevelop/intensify Tuesday afternoon. Considerable uncertainty
exists with additional updates likely. Temps will also begin to
fall quickly behind the front with 60s in some areas by late
Tuesday afternoon. Additional post frontal showers look likely
Tuesday evening as additional energy moves through the area.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 100 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
Additional Rain Chances/Cooler Weather Mid/Late Week: Ensemble
data continues to suggests that the overall upper level pattern
west/southwest with several disturbances moving through the
region. The front that moves through Tuesday looks to stay south
of the area Wednesday however given the flow, additional precip
chances are possible south of I-44. The front does appear to
attempt to lift north into the area Thursday and persist through
Saturday. Precip chances currently from the NBM are rather
pessimistic with chances greater than 50% at times, especially
closer to Thursday and Friday. Currently not seeing a signal for
severe storms or flooding. Temps will remain cooler than
previous days, especially Wednesday with slowly climbing temps
closer to 80 degrees by the weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1230 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be in and around the
TAF sites this afternoon, especially JLN and SGF. Otherwise
ceilings around 3000ft will be likely this afternoon. Winds will
likely remain out of the south with gusts around 25-30kts. Low
level wind shear is likely at SGF and JLN overnight. There will
be a line of thunderstorms that moves into the area after 08z
and continues through Tuesday morning. Confidence is increasing
that winds will turn west to northwesterly towards the end of
the TAF period along with ceilings dropping into at least MVFR.
&&
.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...None.
MO...Flood Watch until 7 PM CDT this evening for MOZ055>058-066>071-
078>081.
&&
SHORT TERM...Burchfield
LONG TERM...Burchfield
AVIATION...BurchfieldHazardous weather outlook, May 18, 2:07 PM CDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 207 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-191915- Bourbon-Crawford-Cherokee-Benton-Morgan-Miller-Maries-Vernon- St. Clair-Hickory-Camden-Pulaski-Phelps-Barton-Cedar-Polk-Dallas- Laclede-Texas-Dent-Jasper-Dade-Greene-Webster-Wright-Newton- Lawrence-Christian-Douglas-Howell-Shannon-McDonald-Barry-Stone- Taney-Ozark-Oregon- 207 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Slight tornado risk. Slight hail risk. Slight thunderstorm wind damage risk. Limited lightning risk. Significant excessive rainfall risk Limited non thunderstorm wind risk. DISCUSSION... - A Moderate Risk (3 out of 4) for thunderstorms with heavy rainfall that may result in flash flooding this afternoon and another round overnight. A Flood Watch in effect for an area north of Interstate 44 towards the Highway 54 corridor. Additional rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches. - A Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for a few strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon. Primary hazard is damaging wind gusts and large hail to the size of quarters. - A Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms overnight tonight into Tuesday. A line of thunderstorms expected to quickly move through the area, with the primary hazard being damaging wind gusts. There is a lower chance for a few, brief tornadoes. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. - A line of thunderstorms will be ongoing on Tuesday morning. There is uncertainty with how quickly the front clears the area and will determine if we see any severe thunderstorm redevelopment Tuesday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and again overnight. && More detailed information can be accessed at: http://www.weather.gov/sgf/dsspacket This product in graphical format...along with other weather... hydrological and climate information...at http://www.weather.gov/sgf Burchfield
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 18, 2:42 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
242 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0235 PM Flash Flood 1 S Hastain 38.20N 93.18W
05/18/2026 Benton MO Dept of Highways
State Highway V is closed due to flooding at
Deer Creek.
&&
MBLocal storm report, May 18, 2:45 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
245 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0240 PM Flash Flood 1 N Knobby 38.17N 93.10W
05/18/2026 Benton MO Dept of Highways
State Highway DD is closed due to flooding
at Knobby Creek.
&&
MBThe office that day
Everything else NWS Springfield, MO issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 1:02 AM CDT | Flood Watch | SGF | Benton, Camden, Cedar, Dallas, Hickory, Laclede and 8 more | 36 hr |
| May 18, 9:43 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | SGF | Benton, Hickory, St. Clair | 2 hr |
| May 18, 9:54 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | SGF | Vernon | 6 hr |
| May 18, 10:02 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | SGF | Benton, Camden, Hickory, Miller, Morgan | 5 hr |
| May 18, 11:54 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | SGF | Benton, Hickory, St. Clair | 4 hr |
| May 18, 11:56 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | Dallas, Polk | 49 min |
| May 18, 12:33 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | Camden, Dallas, Hickory, Polk | 42 min |
| May 18, 1:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | SGF | Polk | 36 min |
| May 18, 1:55 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | SGF | Benton, Camden, Hickory, Miller, Morgan | 6 hr |
| May 18, 4:13 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | SGF | Camden, Miller, Pulaski | 4 hr |
| May 18, 6:05 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | SGF | Maries, Phelps | 6 hr |
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.