Alert archive / Missouri / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 29, NWS Springfield, MO

May 19, 2026McDonald County, Missouri

NWS Springfield, MO issued this flash flood warning at May 19, 2026, 8:40 AM CDT for McDonald County, Missouri. It was in force for 5 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
May 19, 2026, 8:40 AM CDT (13:40 UTC)
Expired
May 19, 2026, 2:00 PM CDT
In force
5 hr
Issued by
NWS Springfield, MO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County McDonald County, MO

The radar

The Springfield radar (KSGF), 102 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:39 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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

Norman, OK (KOUN), launched 12:00Z, 1.7 hours before the alert went out and 322 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, Norman, OK at 12:00Z on 2026-05-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 27 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, Norman, OK at 12:00Z on 2026-05-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 174 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
27 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-536 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
482 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
38 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
174 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
246 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
7.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

801 
WGUS53 KSGF 191340
FFWSGF
MOC119-191900-
/O.NEW.KSGF.FF.W.0029.260519T1340Z-260519T1900Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
840 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  McDonald County in southwestern Missouri...

* Until 200 PM CDT.

* At 840 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 3.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are 
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  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...
  Pineville, Anderson, Noel, Goodman, South West City, Lanagan, 
  Dodge, Cayuga, Powell, Tiff City, Rocky Comfort and Big Sugar 
  Creek State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3675 9407 3650 9408 3650 9462 3677 9462

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

JD
1 follow-up statement
242 
WGUS73 KSGF 191903
FFSSGF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Springfield MO
203 PM CDT Tue May 19 2026

MOC119-191913-
/O.EXP.KSGF.FF.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260519T1900Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
McDonald MO-
203 PM CDT Tue May 19 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR MCDONALD COUNTY...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3675 9407 3650 9408 3650 9462 3677 9462

$$

GH

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 Springfield, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 19, 6:08 AM CDT, 2 hours 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue to slowly move through the area this morning before exiting the area this afternoon. Low chances for an isolated strong to severe thunderstorm. Localized heavy rainfall and flash flooding remain possible, a Flood Watch is still in effect.
  • Cooler into mid week, with additional rain chances (60-90%) on Thursday and Friday.
Area forecast discussion, May 19, 6:08 AM CDT, 2 hours 32 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
608 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue to slowly move
  through the area this morning before exiting the area this
  afternoon. Low chances for an isolated strong to severe
  thunderstorm. Localized heavy rainfall and flash flooding
  remain possible, a Flood Watch is still in effect.

- Cooler into mid week, with additional rain chances (60-90%)
  on Thursday and Friday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 230 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

This Morning:
A strong cold front continues to push through the area early
this morning with strong jet dynamics supporting a line of
showers and thunderstorms. This line of showers and
thunderstorms is slowly dropping southeast into the area, with
environment featuring MUCAPE around 1500 to 2000 J/kg in the
vicinity of marginal bulk shear around 30 knots. In general, the
line has experienced gradual weakening trends over the last
several hours, though a lingering strong to severe thunderstorm
threat remains through early this morning. In particular, any
line segments that able to punch down with the RIJ and bow out.
For this reason, the primary hazard with any strong to severe
activity will remain damaging wind gusts. The tornado threat
remains very low (2-5%). O-3km shear vectors are oriented to the
east- northeast at 30 to 35 knots, though low- level CAPE
remains absent. Given this environment, bowing segments that
become balanced and/or interact with boundaries may support a
brief tornado. The tornado threat will rapidly diminish through
mid-morning. SPC continues to highlight the potential for
scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with a Slight Risk (2
of 5) this morning into the early afternoon as the line makes
it's way through the area with the front.

Further attention turns towards an environment still favorable
for heavy rainfall and flash flooding. A corridor of 1 to 3
inches, with localized pockets of 4 to 6 inches occurred on
Monday along the Highway 54 corridor. This area will be
particularly susceptible to flash flooding this morning and
remains in Flood Watch through early afternoon. The environment,
which features PWATs around 1.5 to 1.7 inches as a strong 40 to
50 knot LLJ overrides the area. Strong low-level moisture
convergence continues to amplify deep convection, that has
become oriented west-southwest in areas. This orientation of the
line will allow for training of thunderstorms to occur over the
same areas into early this morning, with efficient rainfall
rates approaching 0.5 to 1.0 inch per a hour. As mentioned
earlier, a corridor across west central into central MO is well
saturated from rainfall on Monday, with 1 hr FFG on the order of
0.5 to 1.0 inch in locations. 3 hr FFG remains favorable in the
1.5 to 2 inch range. Additional localized flash flooding
remains plausible outside of the watch as well, especially in
urban areas such as Joplin to Springfield. Rainfall amounts
through this morning will range from 1 to 2 inches, with
localized higher amounts of 3 to 4 inches. WPC highlights a
Slight (2 of 4) to Moderate (3 of 4) risk for excessive rainfall
for the flash flooding potential this morning.

As we progress through the morning into the afternoon, the front
and associated line of showers and thunderstorms should make
it's way into far southern MO. Most of the CAMs depict a
scenario with little to no redevelopment occuring as the front
sinks southeast out of the area. While low confidence, the only
area to keep an eye on for potential redevelopment would be
along the MO/AR border in south central MO/eastern Ozarks. Winds
become northerly behind the frontal passage today, with highs
varying from upper 60s (northwest) to lower 80s (southeast).
Overcast skies linger behind the frontal passage into tonight,
with scattered showers and a few elevated non-severe
thunderstorms chances. There remains some uncertainty with the
true extent of coverage with the post-frtonal activity. Lows
fall into the 50s.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 230 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

Wednesday:
Much cooler on Wednesday behind the frontal passage with highs
only reaching into the middle to upper 60s. Scattered rain
chances (30-60%) linger through Wednesday morning before
dissipating.

Thursday-Friday:
Return flow with the frontal attempting to lift back north into
the area on Thursday and Friday will bring increasing PoPs back
into the area. Shower and thunderstorm chances approach 60-90%
on Thursday into Friday, though the environment remains
unfavorable for severe or widespread flooding. Localized
flooding will need to be closely watched given antecedent
conditions from early week precipitation. Meanwhile, gradual
increasing mid-level heights will support a warming trend as
highs return into the 70s late week.

This Weekend:
Broad southwest flow persists into the weekend, with embedded
waves of energy translating through the flow. Persistent rain
chances (20-40%) linger through the weekend, with uncertainty in
the exact timing and extent of coverage. Highs push back into
the upper 70s to lower 80s, right around average for mid to late
May.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 600 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

A system continues to move through the area this morning, with
associated showers and thunderstorms. Instances of MVFR to IFR
flight conditions accompany this activity as a result of
reduced visibilities and ceilings. Visibilities as low as 2 to 4
miles within thunderstorms. Widespread MVFR ceilings move into
the area this morning, with heights around 1500 to 2500 feet.
Further reductions in ceilings occurs with the frontal passage
this afternoon, as IFR ceilings around 700 to 900 feet
overspread the area. Winds become northerly behind the front.
Additional scattered rain chances persist through the afternoon
into the evening. IFR ceilings persist through tonight into
early Wednesday morning behind the frontal passage.

&&

.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...Flood Watch until 1 PM CDT this afternoon for KSZ073.
MO...Flood Watch until 1 PM CDT this afternoon for MOZ055>058-
     066>071-078>081.

&&

SHORT TERM...Perez
LONG TERM...Perez
AVIATION...Perez
Hazardous weather outlook, May 19, 3:06 AM CDT, 5 hours 34 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Springfield MO
306 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-200815-
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-
306 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri
Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Marginal hail risk.
  Slight thunderstorm wind damage risk.
  Elevated lightning risk.
  Elevated excessive rainfall risk

DISCUSSION...

- A Moderate Risk (3 out of 4) for thunderstorms with heavy
  rainfall that may result in flash flooding through early this
  morning. A Flood Watch in effect for an area north of
  Interstate 44 towards the Highway 54 corridor. Additional
  rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches, with localized higher amounts
  up to 4 inches.

- A Slight Risk (2 out of 5) for a few strong to severe
  thunderstorms this morning into the early afternoon. A line of
  thunderstorms moves through the area, with the primary hazard
  being damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

- Additional shower and non-severe thunderstorm chances (60-90%)
  return Thursday and Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

&&

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

Perez

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 19, 7:55 AM CDT, 45 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
755 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

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

0745 AM     Rain             2 SW Iconium            38.09N 93.56W
05/19/2026  M5.42 Inch       St. Clair          MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW3465 OSCEOLA.

0700 AM     Rain             1 E Bolivar             37.62N 93.39W
05/19/2026  M3.10 Inch       Polk               MO   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station BVRM7 1.0 E Bolivar.

0700 AM     Rain             3 S Flemington          37.77N 93.50W
05/19/2026  M3.72 Inch       Polk               MO   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station MO-PL-30 Flemington 2.6 S.

0740 AM     Rain             Cliff Village           37.03N 94.52W
05/19/2026  M3.02 Inch       Newton             MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station AU695 Cliff Village.

0747 AM     Rain             3 SSW Redings Mill      36.98N 94.54W
05/19/2026  M3.57 Inch       Newton             MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW6964 JOPLIN.

0745 AM     Rain             4 ENE Versailles        38.45N 92.77W
05/19/2026  M3.10 Inch       Morgan             MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW3917 VERSAILLES.

0746 AM     Rain             7 SE Zora               38.22N 92.99W
05/19/2026  M4.78 Inch       Morgan             MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW3570 STOVER.

0750 AM     Rain             3 W Versailles          38.43N 92.90W
05/19/2026  M3.27 Inch       Morgan             MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station FW8305 Versailles.

0700 AM     Rain             1 NW Iberia             38.10N 92.31W
05/19/2026  M3.71 Inch       Miller             MO   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station IBEM7 Iberia.

0745 AM     Rain             1 SW Goodman            36.73N 94.41W
05/19/2026  M3.00 Inch       McDonald           MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station GW2092 GOODMAN.

0653 AM     Rain             2 NNW Vichy             38.13N 91.77W
05/19/2026  M3.42 Inch       Maries             MO   ASOS

            ASOS station KVIH Vichy Rolla ASOS.

0728 AM     Rain             2 NE El Dorado Springs  37.90N 93.99W
05/19/2026  M3.31 Inch       Cedar              MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station WKTM7 Wah Kon Tah RAWS.

0746 AM     Rain             Stockton                37.70N 93.80W
05/19/2026  M3.00 Inch       Cedar              MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station AU864 Stockton.

0713 AM     Rain             4 SE Camdenton          37.97N 92.69W
05/19/2026  M4.62 Inch       Camden             MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station CMMM7 Camdenton RAWS.

0745 AM     Rain             5 S Roach               37.93N 92.84W
05/19/2026  M3.08 Inch       Camden             MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station FW7970 Camdenton.

0745 AM     Rain             Warsaw                  38.24N 93.39W
05/19/2026  M3.79 Inch       Benton             MO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station WRSM7 Osage River at Warsaw.

0745 AM     Rain             Baxter Springs          37.02N 94.74W
05/19/2026  M3.93 Inch       Cherokee           KS   Mesonet

            Mesonet station FW8104 Baxter Springs.

0745 AM     Rain             Sherman                 37.26N 95.05W
05/19/2026  M4.59 Inch       Cherokee           KS   Mesonet

            Mesonet station EW0910 Oswego.

0749 AM     Rain             1 NE Riverton           37.08N 94.69W
05/19/2026  M3.29 Inch       Cherokee           KS   Mesonet

            Mesonet station FW8200 Riverton.

0700 AM     Rain             4 ENE Hammond           37.95N 94.63W
05/19/2026  M3.41 Inch       Bourbon            KS   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station KS-BB-16 Fort Scott 9.3
            NNE.

&&
Local storm report, May 19, 8:02 AM CDT, 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
802 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

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

0755 AM     Flood            2 ESE Florence          38.58N 92.95W
05/19/2026                   Morgan             MO   Dept of Highways

            Route BB closed due to water over roadway.

&&

TEO
Local storm report, May 19, 8:13 AM CDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
813 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

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

0810 AM     Rain             Linn Creek              38.04N 92.71W
05/19/2026  M4.80 Inch       Camden             MO   Broadcast Media

            2 day total.

&&

TEO
Local storm report, May 19, 8:16 AM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
816 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

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

0759 AM     Rain             2 NE Harper             38.09N 93.49W
05/19/2026  M6.50 Inch       Benton             MO   Broadcast Media

            2 day total.

&&

TEO
Local storm report, May 19, 8:18 AM CDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
818 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

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

0759 AM     Rain             Macks Creek             37.97N 92.97W
05/19/2026  M6.00 Inch       Camden             MO   Broadcast Media

            2 day total.

&&

TEO
Local storm report, May 19, 8:22 AM CDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Springfield MO
822 AM CDT Tue May 19 2026

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

0755 AM     Rain             Racine                  36.90N 94.53W
05/19/2026  M4.35 Inch       Newton             MO   Utility Company

            Since midnight.

&&

TEO

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 18, 9:39 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningSGFVernon4 days
May 19, 2:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSGFBarton36 min
May 19, 3:30 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySGFBenton, Camden, Cedar, Dade, Dallas, Hickory and 5 more7 hr
May 19, 5:28 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySGFJasper, Newton6 hr
May 19, 6:42 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningSGFSt. Clair, Vernon21 days
May 19, 7:14 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningSGFJasper, Newton6 hr
May 19, 7:49 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementSGFMcDonald, Newton56 min
May 19, 8:01 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySGFMcDonald39 min
May 19, 8:30 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningSGFCedar27 hr
May 19, 8:30 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningSGFVernon22 hr
May 19, 8:58 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisorySGFBarry, Lawrence6 hr
May 19, 10:28 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningSGFBenton, Camden, Cedar, Dallas, Hickory, Laclede and 3 more21 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.