Heavy rain of 5 to 12 inches fell over portions of extreme southeast Kansas. Unoffical reports of rainfall as high as 14 inches was reported in Bourbon County Kansas.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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 episode as NWS SGF wrote it up.
Heavy rain of 5 to 12 inches fell over portions of extreme southeast Kansas. Unoffical reports of rainfall as high as 14 inches was reported in Bourbon County Kansas. The hardest hit areas were along the Marmaton River in Bourbon County including Ft. Scott. The highest estimated stage of the Marmaton River at Ft. Scott reached 50.05 feet on 9/14/98 which is the second highest stage ever recorded (records date back to the late 1800s).Some specific damage reports:Bourbon County: Widespread river flooding occurred in northern sections of Ft. Scott affecting numerous homes and businesses. Flood water receded fairly quickly and water damage was confined to lower floors and basements. Many businesses had to close for two or three days due to the flooding and associated clean up. Several highways and bridges were damaged due to the flood waters.Agricultural damage in Bourbon County was mainly confined to the Marmaton River flood plain. Crop losses included 2300 acres of corn (40% yield loss), 7500 acres of soybeans (50% yield loss), and 500 acres of grain sorghum (75% yield loss). In addition, 200 head of cattle were lost. Farms along the Marmaton River also suffered damage to grazing land (topsoil damage) and damage to fencing. Crawford and Cherokee Counties: Flooding and flash flooding was mainly confined to low lying roads and bridges.
The Pleasant Hill radar (KEAX), 118 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:02 UTC.
3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Kansas, September 1998
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: 5671967, 5671968, 5671969.