Flash Flood in Kansas, May 31, 1996

Name: Flash Flood in Kansas, May 31, 1996
Start: 1996-05-31T19:30
End: 1996-05-31T21:30
Location: Kansas

May 31, 1996 · NWS TOP · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Heavy rainfall of 3 to 9 inches caused flash flooding in and around most of the county including the city of Topeka. Flooding was most intense in the western and southern sections of the county.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $20,000
Events: 1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS TOP wrote it up.

Heavy rainfall of 3 to 9 inches caused flash flooding in and around most of the county including the city of Topeka. Flooding was most intense in the western and southern sections of the county. Many rural roads were underwater and impassable. Several city streets were blocked off by police due to flooding. Some power outages occurred.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Shawnee

When: May 31, 7:30 PM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where: Shawnee County, Topeka
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $20,000
Coordinates: 39.042, -95.756 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 1996 Every state in 1996 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, May 1996

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5555388.