Flash Flooding in Kansas, May 24, 2002

Name: Flash Flooding in Kansas, May 24, 2002
Start: 2002-05-24T00:08
End: 2002-05-24T10:00
Location: Kansas

May 24, 2002 · NWS ICT · 29 events in 11 counties and zones

29 flash flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 29 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 29

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 forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Wichita, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 23, 9:00 PM CST, 3 hours 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 23, 9:00 PM CST, 3 hours 8 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
1000 PM CDT THU MAY 23 2002

TNGT:
UPDATED ZONES (SPCLY TO ACCOUNT FOR SVR #323 IN EFFECT FOR KINGMAN &
HARPER COUNTIES TIL 3 AM CDT). STNRY FRONT DRAPED IN SW-NE MANNER FM
TX PANHANDLE ACRS SC KS TO NW MO TO TEAM WITH STRENGTHENING 850-MB
JET TO PLAY VITAL ROLES IN +RA PRODUCING CONVECTION. PROFILERS
DEPICT STRONGEST 925-850MB CONVERGENCE OCRG OVER WRN OK AS OF 9 PM &
NOT SURPRISINGLY STRONGEST TSRA OCRG THIS AREA. COUPLED WITH WEAK
N/NE 700-MB FLOW PROLONGED +RA REMAINS PRIMARY THREAT.
ES

.ICT...
KS...FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 600 AM CDT FRIDAY FOR ZONES KSZ052>053...
KSZ067>072...KSZ082>083...KSZ091>096...KSZ098>100.

The radar

The Wichita radar (KICT), 55 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:05 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

29 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Butler

When: May 24, 12:08 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 4 mi S of Rose Hill
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.781, -96.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water flowed across SW 230th Street.

Flash Flood, Cowley

When: May 24, 12:35 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Cowley County, Udall
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.238, -96.837 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Intersections at 42nd/31st streets and 42nd/21st streets under water.

Flash Flood, Cowley

When: May 24, 12:35 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Cowley County, 1 mi W of Rock
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.238, -96.837 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Road leading into/out of town under water.

Flash Flood, Butler

When: May 24, 1:10 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Butler County, Douglass
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.781, -96.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

South Elm under water. Flash flooding threatening trailer park.

Flash Flood, Sedgwick

When: May 24, 1:25 AM CST to 3:05 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Wichita
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 37.685, -97.461 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In South Wichita, fire department crews rescued motorists from cars obviously caught in flash floods.

Flash Flood, Sedgwick

When: May 24, 1:30 AM CST to 3:05 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Derby
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.685, -97.461 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Many streets impassable.

Flash Flood, Butler

When: May 24, 1:40 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Butler County, Douglass
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 37.781, -96.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Many streets flooded on south side of town with two vehicles submerged. In addition, six trailer homes surrrounded by flash flooding.

Flash Flood, Butler

When: May 24, 1:40 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 3 mi SW of Douglass
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 37.781, -96.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Eight Mile Creek overflowed one mile north of the Butler/Cowley county line.

Flash Flood, Butler

When: May 24, 1:40 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 3 mi S of Smileyburg
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 37.781, -96.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Haverhill Road at the Butler/Cowley county line was under water.

Flash Flood, Greenwood

When: May 24, 1:58 AM CST to 9:00 AM CST
Where: Greenwood County, Severy
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.878, -96.233 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Highway 99 under water.

Flash Flood, Sedgwick

When: May 24, 2:10 AM CST to 4:05 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Wichita
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.685, -97.461 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous vehicles stalled across the city.

Flash Flood, Elk

When: May 24, 2:30 AM CST to 9:00 AM CST
Where: Elk County, 8 mi N of Howard
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.454, -96.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Highway 99 flooded one mile south of the Greenwood/Elk county line.

Flash Flood, Cowley

When: May 24, 2:35 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Cowley County, Atlanta
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 37.238, -96.837 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Around 6 inches of rain caused flash flooding.

Flash Flood, Labette

When: May 24, 3:30 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Labette County, 2 mi NE of Oswego
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.191, -95.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water covered York Road.

Flash Flood, Wilson

When: May 24, 3:30 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Wilson County, Fredonia
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.559, -95.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water covered 1000 Road east of 15th Street.

Flash Flood, Cowley

When: May 24, 3:30 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Cowley County, 2 mi W of Cambridge
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.238, -96.837 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Grouse Creek overflowed.

Flash Flood, Cowley

When: May 24, 3:30 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Cowley County, Dexter
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.238, -96.837 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

K38 under water just north of town.

Flash Flood, Labette

When: May 24, 4:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Labette County, Parsons
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.191, -95.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several streets under water.

Flash Flood, Labette

When: May 24, 4:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Labette County, Parsons
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.191, -95.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Queens Road under water in many places, 27000 Road underwater and 25000 Road underwater at the Northern Blvd intersection.

Flash Flood, Butler

When: May 24, 4:05 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Butler County, Rose Hill
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 37.781, -96.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Rainfalls of 4-5 inches caused flash flooding in town.

Flash Flood, Montgomery

When: May 24, 4:50 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County, Independence
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.193, -95.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Five roads under water, 2 primary and 3 secondary.

Flash Flood, Neosho

When: May 24, 4:50 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Neosho County, Erie
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.559, -95.307 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Walnut Street flooded to depth of 1 foot.

Flash Flood, Labette

When: May 24, 5:13 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Labette County, Mound Vly
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.191, -95.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several secondary roads closed. Highway 101 closed in spots.

Flash Flood, Elk

When: May 24, 5:32 AM CST to 9:00 AM CST
Where: Elk County, Moline
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.454, -96.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Highway 99 flooded near Elk/Chautauqua county line. Road closed.

Flash Flood, Chautauqua

When: May 24, 5:45 AM CST to 6:20 AM CST
Where: Chautauqua County, Cedar Vale
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.150, -96.245 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

County Road 3 south of Cedar Vale closed.

Flash Flood, Allen

When: May 24, 6:00 AM CST to 9:05 AM CST
Where: Allen County, Petrolia
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.886, -95.301 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Most secondary roads under water.

Flash Flood, Wilson

When: May 24, 6:16 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Wilson County, Buxton
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.559, -95.743 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous roads under water.

Flash Flood, Cowley

When: May 24, 7:30 AM CST to 9:10 AM CST
Where: Cowley County, 1 mi W of Rock
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.238, -96.837 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Water covered unspecified road.

Flash Flood, Labette

When: May 24, 8:55 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where: Labette County, Parsons
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 37.191, -95.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

U.S. Highway 400 closed.

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 2002 Every state in 2002 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, May 2002

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: 5288154, 5288932, 5288933, 5288934, 5288935, 5288936, 5288937, 5288938, 5288939, 5288940, 5287601, 5287602, 5287603, 5287604, 5287667, 5287668, 5287669, 5287670, 5287671, 5287672, 5287673, 5287674, 5287675, 5287676, 5287677, 5287678, 5287679, 5287680, 5287681.