Alert archive / Kansas / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 7, NWS Topeka, KS
NWS Topeka, KS issued this flash flood warning at May 18, 2026, 3:08 PM CDT for Washington County, Kansas. It was in force for 4 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 18, 2026, 3:08 PM CDT (20:08 UTC)
- Expired
- May 18, 2026, 6:48 PM CDT
- In force
- 4 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Topeka, KS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Washington County, KS
The radar
The Grand Island radar (KUEX), 118 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:09 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
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 8.1 hours before the alert went out and 164 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
- 871 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 49 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 271 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 220 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
211
WGUS53 KTOP 182008
FFWTOP
KSC201-190015-
/O.NEW.KTOP.FF.W.0007.260518T2008Z-260519T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Topeka KS
308 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Northwestern Washington County in north central Kansas...
* Until 715 PM CDT.
* At 307 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain
have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1
hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 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...
Washington, Morrowville, Haddam and Hollenberg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3980 9731 4000 9730 4000 9725 4000 9722
4000 9719 4000 9717 4000 9715 4000 9714
4000 9713 4000 9712 4000 9710 4000 9708
4000 9703 4000 9699 4000 9692 4000 9688
3980 9704
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR
$$
CP1 follow-up statement
338
WGUS73 KTOP 182348
FFSTOP
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
648 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
KSC201-182358-
/O.CAN.KTOP.FF.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260519T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Washington KS-
648 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON
COUNTY...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT Tuesday for
portions of central, east central, north central, and northeast
Kansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3980 9731 4000 9730 4000 9725 4000 9722
4000 9719 4000 9717 4000 9715 4000 9714
4000 9713 4000 9712 4000 9710 4000 9708
4000 9703 4000 9699 4000 9692 4000 9688
3980 9704
$$
CPWhat 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 May 18, 2:01 PM CDT, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Severe thunderstorms becoming numerous early to mid afternoon today and spreading east to southeast this evening. Very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes all quite possible.
- Flash flooding remains a concern through tonight especially where heavy rain fall Sunday night.
- Gusty south winds on track for the next several hours in southwestern areas.
Area forecast discussion, May 18, 2:01 PM CDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Topeka KS 201 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Severe thunderstorms becoming numerous early to mid afternoon today and spreading east to southeast this evening. Very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes all quite possible. - Flash flooding remains a concern through tonight especially where heavy rain fall Sunday night. - Gusty south winds on track for the next several hours in southwestern areas. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 200 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 Warm, humid airmass was surging north into central Kansas ahead of a cold front toward a nearly-stationary front just northeast of northeast Kansas with a modest upper wave just upstream. Instability of 3000 J/kg already commonplace in central Kansas at 17Z with 40-50 knots of deep-layer shear. Vectors for this layer remain close to parallel to the front so there is some uncertainty in how long storms can remain discrete, but some backing of low-level flow and otherwise good setup brings all severe hazards in play. Main area of concern over the next few hours is north-central Kansas with storms spreading east and southeast and becoming more widespread with time. Threats should turn more to wind versus strong tornado in eastern areas as mode shifts to more linear. Overall a more progressive system should keep storm residence somewhat limited, but areas that saw heavy rain Sunday night will not take much more rain to experience flash flooding and intense updrafts with PW values around 1.5 inches will bring quick rainfall. Storms push southeast before dawn with flash flooding threat falling off, though rivers and creeks may be high for a few more days. Surface winds Next few days continue to look benign with modified Canadian high pressure in place with cooler temperatures. Moisture return in the mid-levels supports at least moderate precipitation chances Thursday into Thursday night but instability remains modest. A more unstable airmass should return around the holiday weekend though forcing for ascent is not readily apparent. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 1223 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 Confidence is increasing in thunderstorm potential in the 23Z-04Z window and went ahead with TEMPO inclusion. MVFR cloud should diminish soon but be more consistent after FROPA around 06Z with some chance for improvement late in the forecast. && .TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for KSZ008-KSZ009-KSZ010-KSZ011- KSZ012-KSZ020-KSZ021-KSZ022-KSZ023-KSZ024-KSZ026-KSZ034-KSZ035- KSZ036-KSZ037-KSZ038-KSZ039-KSZ040-KSZ054-KSZ055-KSZ056-KSZ058- KSZ059. Wind Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for KSZ035-KSZ036-KSZ037- KSZ038-KSZ054. && DISCUSSION...Poage AVIATION...Poage
Hazardous weather outlook, May 18, 1:38 PM CDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Topeka KS 138 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 KSZ008>012-020>024-026-034>040-054>056-058-059-191845- Republic-Washington-Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Cloud-Clay-Riley- Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Ottawa-Dickinson-Geary-Morris- Wabaunsee-Shawnee-Douglas-Lyon-Osage-Franklin-Coffey-Anderson- 138 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Kansas, east central Kansas, north central Kansas, and northeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight South winds sustained around 25 MPH with gusts around 45 MPH are forecast for locations southwest of a line from Abilene to Alma to Emporia in to the evening. Severe thunderstorms are expected through the middle of the afternoon in north central Kansas. These storms may form into a line as they move east and southeast late this afternoon and this evening. Very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few strong tornadoes are the main hazards. Localized flooding is also a concern, especially if storms persist over areas that received heavy rain Sunday night. A Flood Watch remains in effect through 7 AM Tuesday morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters will likely be needed this afternoon or tonight. && More detailed information can be found at: www.weather.gov/media/top/DssPacket.pdf
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 18, 1:52 PM CDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Topeka KS
152 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0151 PM Hail 3 S Jamestown 39.55N 97.86W
05/18/2026 M1.00 Inch Cloud KS Public
&&
STThe office that day
Everything else NWS Topeka, KS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 7:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Washington | 19 min |
| May 17, 7:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 45 min |
| May 17, 7:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Washington | 40 min |
| May 17, 7:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud | 25 min |
| May 17, 7:38 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 26 min |
| May 17, 7:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic | 24 min |
| May 17, 8:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Ottawa | 42 min |
| May 17, 8:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 40 min |
| May 17, 8:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic, Washington | 35 min |
| May 17, 8:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 44 min |
| May 17, 8:16 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 29 min |
| May 17, 8:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Riley, Washington | 46 min |
| May 17, 8:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 34 min |
| May 17, 8:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 34 min |
| May 17, 8:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 48 min |
| May 17, 9:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 35 min |
| May 17, 9:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Riley | 29 min |
| May 17, 9:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall | 34 min |
| May 17, 9:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Ottawa | 99 min |
| May 17, 9:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Ottawa | 34 min |
| May 17, 9:46 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Nemaha | 44 min |
| May 17, 10:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 18 min |
| May 17, 10:25 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Brown, Nemaha | 65 min |
| May 17, 10:30 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | TOP | Clay | 30 min |
| May 17, 10:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Brown, Jackson, Nemaha | 32 min |
| May 17, 11:19 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 3 hr |
| May 17, 11:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 38 min |
| May 18, 12:06 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Ottawa | 24 min |
| May 18, 12:23 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Riley | 37 min |
| May 18, 2:37 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Ottawa | 4 hr |
| May 18, 4:47 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 5 hr |
| May 18, 1:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic | 67 min |
| May 18, 2:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic, Washington | 58 min |
| May 18, 2:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 55 min |
| May 18, 2:17 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Ottawa | 43 min |
| May 18, 2:21 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Cloud, Republic, Washington | 39 min |
| May 18, 2:28 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Washington | 32 min |
| May 18, 2:50 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Cloud, Ottawa | 40 min |
| May 18, 2:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Republic, Washington | 38 min |
| May 18, 3:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Cloud, Ottawa | 35 min |
| May 18, 3:22 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Washington | 21 min |
| May 18, 3:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Ottawa | 35 min |
| May 18, 3:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Washington | 33 min |
| May 18, 4:02 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Washington | 29 min |
| May 18, 4:04 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Cloud, Ottawa | 56 min |
| May 18, 4:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Ottawa | 35 min |
| May 18, 4:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Marshall, Nemaha | 17 min |
| May 18, 4:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Republic | 32 min |
| May 18, 4:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Marshall, Riley, Washington | 45 min |
| May 18, 4:33 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Ottawa | 42 min |
| May 18, 5:07 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Marshall, Washington | 53 min |
| May 18, 5:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Ottawa, Riley | 49 min |
| May 18, 5:11 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Riley, Washington | 12 min |
| May 18, 5:15 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Geary, Riley | 30 min |
| May 18, 5:40 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Clay, Marshall, Washington | 3 hr |
| May 18, 5:42 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Clay, Pottawatomie, Riley | 27 min |
| May 18, 5:43 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Clay | 3 hr |
| May 18, 5:51 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Marshall, Nemaha | 54 min |
| May 18, 5:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Riley | 36 min |
| May 18, 6:09 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Marshall | 3 hr |
| May 18, 6:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee | 24 min |
| May 18, 6:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Nemaha | 44 min |
| May 18, 6:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Geary, Jackson, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee and 1 more | 48 min |
| May 18, 6:46 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | TOP | Geary, Pottawatomie, Riley | 3 hr |
| May 18, 6:49 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | TOP | Brown, Nemaha | 26 min |
| May 18, 6:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Jackson, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee | 23 min |
| May 18, 6:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Brown, Jackson, Nemaha, Pottawatomie | 36 min |
| May 18, 6:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | TOP | Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Wabaunsee | 46 min |
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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.