A stalled frontal boundary was draped across portions of Kansas during the day on May 7th, 2019 ahead of an approaching storm system. Widespread showers and thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall developed across the area.
Every event with a place to put it. 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 ICT wrote it up.
A stalled frontal boundary was draped across portions of Kansas during the day on May 7th, 2019 ahead of an approaching storm system. Widespread showers and thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall developed across the area. These storms inundated areas that were already saturated from recent rainfall resulting in widespread flooding across south central Kansas.
Significant flash flooding occurred during the evening and overnight of May 7th, 2019 into the early morning hours of May 8th. The most significant flash flooding occurred during the early morning hours of May 8th, when areas southeast of Wichita picked up between seven and ten inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period. Numerous water rescues took place across Mulvane, Augusta, Wellington and Rose Hill. In addition, several miles of the Kansas Turnpike was closed south of Mulvane due to the Slate Creek reaching record levels. Closing this much of the Kansas Turnpike due to flooding hasn't happened in over 30 years.
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 7, 5:58 AM CST, 2 hours 47 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 658 AM CDT Tue May 7 2019 .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 401 AM CDT Tue May 7 2019 Thunderstorms will continue to plague the area through late Wednesday, some of which could be strong to severe. The best chance for additional severe weather looks to be later today through tonight. Cooler and drier air arrives Thursday on a breezy north wind. By Thursday night, temperatures will likely fall into the 30s and 40s. Temperatures moderate by the weekend. After Wednesday, widespread rainfall is not expected for at least several days. && .SHORT TERM...(Today through Thursday night) Issued at 401 AM CDT Tue May 7 2019 Early this morning, a slow-moving MCS was continuing to slowly trek east across eastern Kansas. Recent IR imagery shows warming cloud tops, suggesting a gradual weakening trend. That said, a few stronger cores have recently been noted over south-central KS east of the Turnpike in a small area where convective overturning has not yet occurred. Cannot rule out some hail or gusty winds with this activity, but the overall severe threat early this morning is quickly waning. The question, then, for the rest of the day is what impact does the early morning convection have on the forecast. The ongoing MCS appears to be tied to an area of low/mid level WAA and even appears to be creating its own MCV. Radar and SFC obs show the convective outflow boundary pushing into northern OK. North of this boundary, scattered, sub-severe, storms have developed, likely due to continued WAA overtop the outflow boundary/synoptic front. This activity may tend to decrease with time this morning as the better WAA/lift weakens for a time and the forecast was trended drier across south-central/SE KS for the mid to late-morning period. By this afternoon, the synoptic front will likely be oriented SW to NE from SW Kansas through NE Kansas, while the effective warm front/outflow boundary stalls over northern Oklahoma. Like yesterday, we'll likely start today with lower quality moisture and at least a modest cap in the wake of the morning convection. However, continued southerly flow flow should allow for the return of better quality moisture by the afternoon. This combined with diabatic heating south of the synoptic front, especially where breaks in the clouds occur, should allow SBCAPE of 1500-2500 j/kg to be realized. Deep layer shear may relax a bit during the day, but increase again by the late afternoon into the evening hours. Once again, thinking the best convergence for initiation will be along the synoptic front as daytime heating and moisture advection help to erode the cap. Some elevated thunderstorms may develop north of the synoptic front as well, especially as large-scale forcing for ascent begins to increase ahead of the upper low moving out of the Four Corners region. Given how worked over the atmosphere is, the initially weaker shear, and perhaps not as great of recovery today compared to yesterday...the thought is that the severe threat (at least initially) looks a bit lower. However, as deep layer shear increases towards early evening, there could be an uptick in the severe potential. The greatest threat may tend to be focused along and southeast of the synoptic front, from south-central through southeast Kansas. Short-term guidance suggests another MCS may move across those areas and this certainly seems plausible given the more unidirectional shear profiles and the orientation more parallel to the front. Should that be the case, the primary threat would likely be gusty/damaging winds. Can't rule out the potential of semi- discrete development near the front in the afternoon. If this were to occur, an initial threat of large hail may exist. Areas hit hard last night with heavy rainfall will likely be hit once again, with a continued threat of river flooding and flash flooding (please see the hydro section for more). For Wednesday, the thinking is that the convection tonight will push well east into the Ozarks. Recovery during the day will once again be a concern regarding any severe threat, but it continues to look like the greatest severe weather threat will reside across OK/TX. Late Wednesday into Thursday, a strong cold front will finally push through the area putting an end to the heavy rain and severe weather threat. This will come with breezy and much cooler conditions Thursday. By Thursday night, lows will likely fall into the 30s and 40s. Future forecasts may need to lower these values more than currently forecast. Martin .LONG TERM...(Friday through Monday) Issued at 401 AM CDT Tue May 7 2019 A gradual warmup is expected by the weekend as west or southwest flow aloft returns. The mid-week trough will likely shunt the greater moisture south, keeping the best chance of precip to our south as well. Martin && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Wednesday morning) Issued at 651 AM CDT Tue May 7 2019 Aviation concerns will remain storm chances through the entire forecast along with low clouds over mainly central KS. Widespread storms affected the region overnight with sct storms still ongoing over mainly southern and southeast KS. These will continue for the next few hours and will eventually push east. We may see a break in activity this afternoon before widespread storms affect the entire area again tonight. This will be the result of storms lifting out of the OK Panhandle and southwest KS along with new development due to strong 850-700mb moisture transport. Heavy rain and hail will be the main threats tonight with southern KS having the best shot at some hail. Low clouds are currently in place across central KS, mainly affecting KRSL-KGBD. Tough to get a good handle on where exactly the low cigs are due to widespread cirrus over the top of them. Current thinking is that they may eventually make it down to KHUT and over to KSLN, but confidence isn't high on how low cigs will get at those locations. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 401 AM CDT Tue May 7 2019 The axis of heaviest rainfall from last night was focused primarily over southeast Kansas where some location saw 3-5" of rain, including the Chanute area (where water rescues occurred and some homes were evacuated). For today, the axis of heaviest rainfall looks to set up along and to the southeast of the synoptic front (positioned from SW Kansas through NE Kansas). This area has the best chance of seeing additional flooding through tonight, but we'll continue the Flash Flood Watch areawide as any additional rainfall could lead to problems, not just flash flooding, but also for river flooding. As was seen last night, excessive rainfall rates will once again be a concern. After the rain ends, river flooding will then continue into later this week, with some significant rises likely. Martin && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Wichita-KICT 77 60 74 46 / 30 90 40 50 Hutchinson 71 59 71 44 / 50 90 60 40 Newton 73 59 72 44 / 50 90 60 50 ElDorado 77 60 74 47 / 30 80 40 60 Winfield-KWLD 79 60 75 49 / 30 80 50 50 Russell 59 53 66 41 / 80 80 50 40 Great Bend 64 54 67 41 / 80 90 60 40 Salina 65 58 69 44 / 70 90 60 50 McPherson 70 59 70 43 / 70 90 60 50 Coffeyville 80 63 76 54 / 30 90 80 60 Chanute 78 63 75 52 / 30 90 60 60 Iola 77 62 75 51 / 30 90 60 60 Parsons-KPPF 80 63 75 53 / 30 90 70 60 && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday evening for KSZ032-033- 047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100. && SYNOPSIS...RM SHORT TERM...RM LONG TERM...RM AVIATION...RBL HYDROLOGY...RM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wichita KS 431 AM CDT Tue May 7 2019 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-080945- Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase- Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper- Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette- 431 AM CDT Tue May 7 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas, South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms this morning will continue to impact portions of the area, but should remain below severe limits. Later today through tonight, another round of thunderstorms is expected. Severe weather will once again be possible. At this time, damaging wind, large hail, and very heavy rainfall are expected to be the primary threats. The area at greatest risk looks to be from south-central through southeast Kansas. In addition to the severe weather threat, there will continue to be a risk of flash flooding. Please see the Flash Flood Watch for additional details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Strong thunderstorms may be ongoing Wednesday morning, primarily with a gusty wind and heavy rain threat. Additional thunderstorms may redevelop Wednesday afternoon, but it is uncertain how strong they will be able to get due to previous rounds of thunderstorms. Should any storms become severe, the main threat looks to be east of the Kansas Turnpike. In addition to the thunderstorm threat, significant rises on rivers and creeks are expected across a large portion of the area. Please see the latest River Flood Warnings and statements for additional details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is possible again this afternoon through tonight and may be needed on Wednesday. && For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: http://weather.gov/wichita/hwo/ Martin
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
810 AM CDT TUE MAY 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0808 AM FLOOD 2 S HAMILTON 37.95N 96.16W
05/07/2019 GREENWOOD KS LAW ENFORCEMENT
NUMEROUS LOW WATER CROSSINGS ARE FLOODED
ACROSS THE COUNTY.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
813 AM CDT TUE MAY 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0813 AM FLOOD 3 NW PARSONS 37.36N 95.30W
05/07/2019 LABETTE KS LAW ENFORCEMENT
NUMEROUS LOW WATER CROSSINGS ARE FLOODED
ACROSS THE COUNTY.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
828 AM CDT TUE MAY 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1230 AM TSTM WND GST WINDOM 38.38N 97.91W
05/07/2019 E70 MPH MCPHERSON KS TRAINED SPOTTER
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
833 AM CDT TUE MAY 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1201 AM HAIL 1 E EUREKA 37.82N 96.27W
05/07/2019 M1.00 INCH GREENWOOD KS CO-OP OBSERVER
DELAYED REPORT.
&&
KBUTLERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
916 AM CDT TUE MAY 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0926 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SW MORAN 37.91N 95.18W
05/06/2019 ALLEN KS CO-OP OBSERVER
DELAYED REPORT OF NUMEROUS TREE BRANCHES DOWN. TIME
ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.
&&
TVAUGHANPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
945 AM CDT TUE MAY 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0945 AM FLOOD 5 SE ALTOONA 37.47N 95.60W
05/07/2019 WILSON KS PUBLIC
RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 2.75 INCHES OF RAIN. REPORTED
CONTINUED FLOODING IN THE AREA.
&&
TVAUGHANThe Tulsa radar (KINX), 144 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:45 UTC.
25 flash flood, 17 flood, 12 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Received a total of 2.75 inches of rain. Flooding of low lying areas was reported.
Lots of standing water was reported south of Haysville.
Street flooding was reported in town.
Water was reported over the road near the 6500 block of Meridian.
A power pole was knocked at 70th Avenue and Seneca.
Water was reported over the road at 170th Ave between 70th and 80th.
A one foot diameter tree limb was reported down on the south side of Rose Hill.
Power poles were reported down. Belle Plain was reported without power.
Water was reported over Webb Road from 111th to 119th Street.
A trained spotter reported the gust.
A one foot diameter tree branch was blown down.
A foot diameter tree branch was blown down.
Multiple street had water over them in town.
Water was reported over the road at 127th Street East and 95th street south.
The hail partially covered the ground.
Dime size hail was also reported.
Water was reported over the road.
Water was reported over the road, on the south side of town.
Two hundred and eleventh road was impassible from high water.
A trained spotter reported the gust.
Several streets were barricaded with a foot and a half of water over them. The west side of town was hit worse.
Numerous roads were closed due to high water, in and around 119th and Greenwich. Dog creek was reported to be bankfull.
County dispatch reported numerous road closures due to high water.
Damage to trees were noted along the path.
Mulvane fire and rescue responded to a submersion and water rescue of a car near 119th and Webb Road.
One inch diameter tree limbs were broken off and some shingles were missing. Report received via MPing.
Numerous county roads were reported with water over them. The report was relayed via social media.
Mulvane fire and rescue reported multiple water rescues. Swift water rescues occurred near 119th and Webb with one person reported trapped in a vehicle. The person was rescued from the car unharmed.
Damage to a barn was reported. Time estimated based on radar data.
A water rescue occurred from a stranded motorist on the east side of town.
Numerous roadways were reported under water and impassible.
A water rescue occurred east of town. Numerous roads had 1 foot of flowing water over them.
Water was reported coming into homes in Wellington.
At least two power poles were reported leaning and two others were knocked down.
Water was reported over the road north of highway 160.
Several road were reported underwater, with vehicles stranded south of Belle Plaine.
Most of the dirt roads in the western half of county were impassible due to high water.
A trained spotter reported the gust.
Kansas Department of Transportation reported the Kansas Turnpike (Interstate 35) was closed from the Wichita Toll booth the the Wellington exit due to flooding.
Interstate 35 or the Kansas Turnpike was closed due the Slate Creek reaching record levels and overflowing the highway at mile marker 21. The interstate was closed for hours, as crews waited for the water to recede and repair work to occur. Traffic was diverted at the Wellington exit and had to use an alternate until it reached the Kansas Oklahoma line. The Kansas Turnpike Authority said that closing that long of a stretch of the Turnpike had not occurred in 30 years.
Water was reported over Maxwell Street and Iron Horse road. The report came in through social media.
Water was reported over several roads. Water rescues occurred due to stalled cars.
Many roads were reported closed due to high water.
Numerous roads were closed due to flooding. A water rescue occurred near Kansas highway 14.
Home evacuations occurred on the west side of Wellington along the 900 block of N-H street.
Numerous roads remained flooded across the west side of Augusta for several hours.
Numerous roads were reported closed due to high water.
There were reports of numerous vehicles driving into flooded roadways and becoming submerged.
Peabody Police reported that residences south of Spring Creek had to be evacuated due to quickly rising water.
Numerous roads were reported impassible due to high water.
Water was reported over the Florence bridge and portions of Florence were flooded.
Highway 177 was closed due to river flooding along the Cottonwood River south of Strong City.
Numerous roads were reported flooded throughout the county.
Numerous roads were reported flooded near Udall.
Three water rescues were reported in town along with numerous roads reported under water.
Several roads were closed due to water over the road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Kansas in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kansas, 2019Warnings in Kansas, May 2019
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: 827095, 827097, 821845, 827100, 827101, 822716, 827103, 822484, 822486, 822488, 827105, 822489, 822490, 822491, 827107, 827109, 821846, 821848, 822492, 821849, 827110, 821851, 827035, 827037, 822717, 821852, 821853, 827038, 827115, 827118, 816515, 821854, 827117, 812603, 827119, 827141, 812604, 827143, 827144, 827145, and more.