Alert archive / Kansas / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 37, NWS Topeka, KS
NWS Topeka, KS issued this flash flood warning at Jul 24, 2026, 1:14 AM CDT for Ottawa County, Kansas. It was in force for 3 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
- Jul 24, 2026, 1:14 AM CDT (06:14 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 24, 2026, 3:58 AM CDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Topeka, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Ottawa County, KS
The radar
The Topeka radar (KTWX), 135 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 1:33 AM CDT | RAIN 3.4 | 2 Ne Ada, KS |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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
Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 00:00Z, 6.2 hours before the alert went out and 186 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 849 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 41 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 1 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 134 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
224
WGUS53 KTOP 240614
FFWTOP
KSC143-241000-
/O.NEW.KTOP.FF.W.0037.260724T0614Z-260724T1000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
114 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southwestern Ottawa County in north central Kansas...
* Until 500 AM CDT.
* At 114 AM CDT, emergency management reported thunderstorms
producing heavy rain in From near Ada to a few miles south of
Minneapolis. Between 1.5 and 3 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...Emergency management 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...
Ada.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 3923 9793 3896 9749 3896 9769 3917 9793
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
$$1 follow-up statement
961 WGUS73 KTOP 240858 FFSTOP Flash Flood Statement National Weather Service Topeka KS 358 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026 KSC143-240908- /O.CAN.KTOP.FF.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260724T1000Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ Ottawa KS- 358 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHWESTERN OTTAWA COUNTY... Emergency management reports flood waters have receded. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures. && LAT...LON 3917 9793 3896 9769 3896 9749 3923 9793 $$
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 Topeka, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 24, 12:43 AM CDT, 31 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Another round of rain/storms tonight. 40-60% chances for greater than 1 inch of rainfall across much of central and northeastern Kansas. Some areas could see locally higher amounts up to 2 inches.
- Dangerous heat returns by the weekend - especially Sunday and Monday. Air temperatures will approach the upper 90s and low 100s through early next week.
- Heat indices Saturday into Tuesday will top out in the 100-110 degree range each afternoon.
- A brief cool-down and more active weather pattern looks to setup by Wednesday as temperatures fall back closer to average.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 24, 12:43 AM CDT, 31 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 1243 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Another round of rain/storms tonight. 40-60% chances for greater than 1 inch of rainfall across much of central and northeastern Kansas. Some areas could see locally higher amounts up to 2 inches. - Dangerous heat returns by the weekend - especially Sunday and Monday. Air temperatures will approach the upper 90s and low 100s through early next week. - Heat indices Saturday into Tuesday will top out in the 100-110 degree range each afternoon. - A brief cool-down and more active weather pattern looks to setup by Wednesday as temperatures fall back closer to average. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 256 PM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026 This morning's rain has for the most part come to an end with several areas across central Kansas seeing 1-2.5" of rainfall! Another round is expected later tonight - more on this later. For the remainder of the day today, broken cloud cover will limit much warming as temperatures struggle to exceed the upper 70s. Looking at synoptic features aloft, a large dome of high pressure still dominates the southern Plains with weak shortwave energy rounding the northern axis of the ridge. By this evening and into the overnight hours, the aforementioned shortwave will move into southern Nebraska and north-central Kansas increasing mid-level lift across the area. A strengthening nocturnal LLJ will aid in low-level isentropic lift by midnight tonight as showers and thunderstorms spread across central KS. PWATs ranging from 2-2.25" shows the possibility of very efficient rainfall rates overnight. The main question is where will the main axis of QPF fall through the overnight hours. Guidance has stayed fairly consistent with the best deep layer moisture staying along and north of I-70 and thus, highest confidence in higher rainfall totals stays in this area through Friday morning. Areas south of I-70 will still see rain, but totals may only range from 0.25"-0.75" with isolated pockets of 1 inch totals. Areas along and north of I-70 will have the best chance to see greater than 1 inch of rainfall with isolated areas seeing closer to 2 inches. NBM probabilities of rain totals greater than an inch along and north of I-70 range from 50-80% with probs dropping to 25-50% for totals over 2 inches. Cannot rule out some isolated flooding occurring by Friday morning, especially in areas that saw heavy rainfall last night. Rain lingers across far eastern into the early afternoon Friday that should help keep temperatures on the cool side yet again. Expectation is for areas across central Kansas to clear clouds by the late morning and increase temperatures into the mid to upper 80s by the afternoon whereas areas further east may only top out in the upper 70s and low 80s. Dangerous heat will be the main headline for the weekend and into early next week as the upper ridge begins to expand north across the central Plains during the day Saturday. Saturday will see highs increase into the low to mid 90s before highs build into the upper 90s and low 100s by Sunday and Monday. Confidence is fairly high for areas Sunday and Monday to see afternoon highs ranging from 95 to 103 degrees given the small ensemble spreads. NBM probabilities for areas across central, north-central and along/south I-70 exceeding 100 degrees Monday are currently sitting around 60-90%. Heat indices each day Saturday through next Tuesday will likely push into the 100- 110 degree range. Some reprieve in the dangerous heat may come by Wednesday as the upper ridge sinks a bit south and allows mid-level energy/waves to filter into eastern Kansas. This should allow temperatures to fall back closer to average with the increase in cloud cover and low-end precipitation chances. Afternoon high temperature spreads by next weekend currently sit between the mid 80s and low 90s. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1227 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026 For the balance of tonight into early this morning, showers and storms generally work west to east across the area. The first batch is trending to move mainly south of I-70 leaving more isolated to scattered showers and a storm or two north of I-70 which is reason to leave VCTS mention at this time. Then from west to east, there could be a lull in activity until an hour or two before sunrise. As the upper wave swings into the area from the west, more widespread showers are expected to develop and last through mid-morning before exiting the area. May see brief MVFR to IFR conditions with the showers and storms but then more uncertainty in stratus into the midday and afternoon time frame. Have maintained VFR levels for now but cloud bases could drop into the marginal VFR categories into the afternoon and remain slow to clear the area. Will continue to watch trends into the morning over western areas to better gauge the extent of possible afternoon low-level stratus. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION...Griesemer AVIATION...Drake
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 23, 3:07 PM CDT, 10 hours 7 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Topeka KS 307 PM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026 KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-242015- Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley- Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris- Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson- 307 PM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Kansas, east central Kansas, north central Kansas and northeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Another round of heavy rainfall into early Friday could lead to additional flooding of area creeks and streams, mainly across areas that saw heavy rainfall Wednesday night/Thursday morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Heat index values of 100 to 110 degrees will be possible Saturday afternoon, with heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees possible Sunday and Monday afternoon. && More detailed information can be found at: www.weather.gov/media/top/DssPacket.pdf
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 23, 11:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1131 PM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026
KSZ036-240500-
Geary-
1131 PM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN GEARY COUNTY THROUGH
MIDNIGHT CDT...
At 1131 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Grandview Plaza, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to outdoor objects and vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southern Geary
County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3899 9658 3887 9658 3887 9686 3896 9687
TIME...MOT...LOC 0431Z 268DEG 22KT 3892 9680
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPHLocal storm report, Jul 24, 12:39 AM CDT, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
1239 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1235 AM Flood 1 ENE Ada 39.15N 97.88W
07/24/2026 Ottawa KS Emergency Mngr
Several inches of water flowing over
roadways near Ada.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Topeka, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 10:49 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Ottawa | 3 hr |
| Jul 23, 11:31 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Geary | 29 min |
| Jul 24, 12:37 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 37 min |
| Jul 24, 12:51 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Dickinson | 3 hr |
| Jul 24, 1:51 AM CDT | Extreme Heat Watch | TOP | Anderson, Brown, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Dickinson and 17 more | 3 days |
| Jul 24, 4:23 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 47 hr |
| Jul 24, 5:07 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Clay, Riley, Washington | 5 hr |
| Jul 24, 11:33 AM CDT | Heat Advisory | TOP | Anderson, Brown, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Dickinson and 17 more | 48 hr |
| Jul 24, 11:33 AM CDT | Extreme Heat Warning | TOP | Anderson, Brown, Clay, Cloud, Coffey, Dickinson and 17 more | 3 days |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Kansas, 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.