Flash Flooding and Flooding in Kansas, October 4 to 31, 1998

Name: Flash Flooding and Flooding in Kansas, October 4 to 31, 1998
Start: 1998-10-04T13:35
End: 1998-10-31T23:59
Location: Kansas

October 4 to 31, 1998 · NWS ICT · 44 events in 15 counties and zones

18 thunderstorm wind, 15 hail, 5 flood, 4 flash flood, 2 heavy rain, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 11 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 44

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.

The radar

The Wichita radar (KICT), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:33 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 thunderstorm wind, 15 hail, 5 flood, 4 flash flood, 2 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kingman

When: October 4, 1:35 PM CST
Where: Kingman County, 6 mi W of Penalosa
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.720, -98.430

Several large tree limbs blown down.

Hail, McPherson

When: October 4, 1:46 PM CST
Where: McPherson County, Moundridge
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 38.200, -97.520

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When: October 4, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Darlow
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.930, -97.950

Hail, Kingman

When: October 4, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Kingman County, Willowdale
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.520, -98.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When: October 4, 2:17 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Pretty Prairie
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 37.780, -98.020

Hail, Kingman

When: October 4, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Kingman County, Kingman
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.650, -98.120

Thunderstorm Wind, Kingman

When: October 4, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Kingman County, Kingman
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.650, -98.120

Hail, Kingman

When: October 4, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Kingman County, 1 mi N of Kingman
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 37.670, -98.120

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: October 4, 2:46 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Goddard
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 37.670, -97.580

Hail, Reno

When: October 4, 2:50 PM CST
Where: Reno County, 3 mi SW of Haven
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.870, -97.820

Hail, Sedgwick

When: October 4, 2:54 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 5 mi NW of Wichita
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 37.750, -97.400

Hail, Sedgwick

When: October 4, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 6 mi NW of Wichita
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.770, -97.420

Hail, McPherson

When: October 4, 3:00 PM CST
Where: McPherson County, Moundridge
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 38.200, -97.520

Hail, Harvey

When: October 4, 3:10 PM CST
Where: Harvey County, Sedgwick
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.920, -97.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: October 4, 3:10 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 1 mi N of Wichita
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.720, -97.330

Flash Flood, McPherson

When: October 4, 3:13 PM CST to 4:13 PM CST
Where: McPherson County, Canton
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 38.392, -97.648 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe thunderstorms producing 2-3 inches of rain caused flooding in and around Canton near the North Branch of the Cottonwood River.

Thunderstorm Wind, McPherson

When: October 4, 3:13 PM CST
Where: McPherson County, Moundridge
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 38.200, -97.520

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: October 4, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 2 mi SE of Bentley
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.870, -97.480

Inflicted tree damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harvey

When: October 4, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Harvey County, Sedgwick
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.920, -97.430

Tree limbs blown down.

Hail, Cowley

When: October 4, 5:22 PM CST
Where: Cowley County, Maple City
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 37.050, -96.780

Thunderstorm Wind, Chautauqua

When: October 4, 5:50 PM CST
Where: Chautauqua County, Cedar Vale
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.100, -96.500

Flash Flood, Chase

When: October 4, 6:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Chase County, 3 mi SW of Saffordville
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 38.302, -96.594 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm rains caused Peyton Creek to flood.

Hail, Chautauqua

When: October 4, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Chautauqua County, 10 mi NE of Sedan
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.230, -96.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Chautauqua

When: October 4, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Chautauqua County, 10 mi NE of Sedan
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.230, -96.050

Hail, Chautauqua

When: October 4, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Chautauqua County, 3 mi N of Hale
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 37.280, -96.020

Hail, Elk

When: October 4, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Elk County, 2 mi S of Oak Vly
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 37.320, -96.020

Hail, Montgomery

When: October 4, 6:37 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 2 mi SW of Elk City
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.270, -95.950

Hail, Cowley

When: October 4, 7:05 PM CST
Where: Cowley County, 7 mi E of Arkansas City
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.070, -96.920

Thunderstorm Wind, Neosho

When: October 4, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Neosho County, 2 mi S of Erie
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.530, -95.250

Large trees and power lines blown down. Half of Erie without power.

Heavy Rain, Labette

When: October 4, 7:20 PM CST to 11:20 PM CST
Where: Labette County, 2 mi NE of Parsons
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.191, -95.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trained spotter recorded 3.80 inches of rain in 4 hours.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neosho

When: October 4, 7:28 PM CST
Where: Neosho County, 1 mi NE of St Paul
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.530, -95.150

Heavy Rain, Montgomery

When: October 4, 7:30 PM CST to 9:02 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 5 mi S of Cherryvale
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 37.193, -95.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cooperative observer recorded 4.47 inches of rain in 1 1/2 hours.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chautauqua

When: October 4, 8:50 PM CST
Where: Chautauqua County, Cedar Vale
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 37.100, -96.500

Large trees blown down.

Flash Flood, Montgomery

When: October 4, 9:03 PM CST to October 5, 2:00 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County, Independence
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.193, -95.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorms producing 3-6 inches of rain caused flash flooding in and around Independence that resulted in the closure of many streets that left several cars stranded.

Flash Flood, Labette

When: October 4, 9:03 PM CST to October 5, 8:25 AM CST
Where: Labette County, Altamont
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.191, -95.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorms producing 3-6 inches of rain caused Labette and Deer Creeks to flood. The flash flooding resulted in the closure of the following highways: U.S. Highway 160 east and westbound out of Parsons, Route 59 north and southbound out of Parsons, Route 96 from Altamont westbound to the intersection with Route 101, Route 101 southbound thru Edna.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: October 4, 9:21 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, Havana
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.100, -95.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Chautauqua

When: October 4, 9:25 PM CST
Where: Chautauqua County, 4 mi SE of Niotaze
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 37.030, -95.970

Thunderstorm Wind, Rice

When: October 17, 4:15 AM CST
Where: Rice County, 1 mi W of Alden
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 38.250, -98.330

Thunderstorm Wind, Neosho

When: October 17, 1:44 PM CST
Where: Neosho County, St Paul
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 37.520, -95.170

Vehicle was blown into front window of a building, numerous power poles blown down, and 3 buildings had roofs blown off.

Flood, Harper

When: October 31, 9:30 AM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Harper forecast zone
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.192, -98.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Kingman

When: October 31, 9:30 AM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Kingman forecast zone
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.559, -98.136 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Sedgwick

When: October 31, 9:30 AM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick forecast zone
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.685, -97.461 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Sumner

When: October 31, 9:30 AM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Sumner forecast zone
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.237, -97.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Flood, Reno

When: October 31, 9:05 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Reno forecast zone
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.953, -98.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread heavy rains of 6-10 inches caused the Arkansas, Little Arkansas, Chikaskia and Ninnescah Rivers as well as their respective tributaries to flood. The flooding resulted in the closure of numerous roads and highways across all 5 counties. The final report of this event will be submitted with the November Storm Data.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 1998 Every state in 1998 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, October 1998

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5672417, 5672418, 5672419, 5672420, 5672421, 5672422, 5672423, 5672424, 5672425, 5672745, 5672746, 5672747, 5672748, 5672749, 5672750, 5671178, 5672751, 5672752, 5672753, 5672754, 5672755, 5671177, 5672756, 5672757, 5672758, 5672759, 5672760, 5672761, 5672762, 5672770, 5672763, 5672769, 5672764, 5671176, 5672771, 5672766, 5672765, 5672767, 5672768, 5671179, and more.