Flood, Hickory
- When
- July 16, 4:43 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
- Where
- Hickory County, 0.54 mi E of Preston to 0.81 mi E of Preston
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 37.930, -93.220
Route D was closed due to flooding.
Flash Flooding and Flooding in Missouri, July 16 to 18, 2021
Multiple rounds of showers and storms affected the region from the afternoon of the 15th to the morning of the 18th as a slow moving front interacted with several upper level disturbances. While instability and moisture were near to below seasonal normals, training of storms over already saturated areas led to localized flooding of low water crossings.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it. 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
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $61,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 26
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 SGF wrote it up.
Multiple rounds of showers and storms affected the region from the afternoon of the 15th to the morning of the 18th as a slow moving front interacted with several upper level disturbances. While instability and moisture were near to below seasonal normals, training of storms over already saturated areas led to localized flooding of low water crossings. Flooding mainly occurred during the 16th and 17th.
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 Springfield, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 16, 1:30 AM CST, 3 hours 13 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 16, 1:30 AM CST, 3 hours 13 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Springfield MO
230 AM CDT Fri Jul 16 2021
.SHORT TERM...(Today through Saturday)
Issued at 230 AM CDT Fri Jul 16 2021
Convection with very heavy rainfall was occurring mainly northwest
of the I44 corridor so far tonight. Several places have received
over 3 inches of rain so far where storms have trained across the
same location. An upper level shortwave, weak surface front
southwest-northeast oriented low level jet and PW values of 2.0+
in. were all over the region contributing to the training of
storms, heavy rain and likely flooding.
The upper level trough will shift east across the forecast area
this morning and the heavy rain axis will slide southeast during
the remainder of the overnight hours through Friday morning, with
the highest concentration of heavy rain over the southwest corner
of the CWA. The flash flood watch remains in effect through 18z
for the western two tiers of our counties. A few strong storms may
produce wind gusts up to 50 mph.
Some scattered redevelopment will be possible this afternoon behind
the main convection which will linger into the evening.
A weak front will linger over southern MO through Saturday which
will keep a risk of scattered convection, mainly over the southern
portion of the forecast area.
.LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Thursday)
Issued at 230 AM CDT Fri Jul 16 2021
The front will move into northern AR on Saturday night but could
see some lingering convection over southern MO into Sunday.
On Sunday night, an upper level system will begin to track south
over central and eastern KS with an upper low eventually closing
off southwest of us Monday night into Tuesday. This low will then
begin to retrograde westward and undercut a highly amplified ridge
through the end of the period. While this is occurring, surface
high pressure will build into the area bringing a drier air mass
into the area for the middle portion of next week. Temperatures
will generally be in the low to mid 80s for highs, but could get
in the upper 80s to around 90 by next Thursday.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night)
Issued at 1148 PM CDT Thu Jul 15 2021
Convection will continue to shift southeast into the forecast area
overnight and into Friday morning and affecting all 3 TAF sites.
Have thunderstorm chances through about midday Friday. Do have
MVFR and IFR conditions within the convection but should go back
into VFR by the mid afternoon on Friday.
&&
.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...Flash Flood Watch until 1 PM CDT this afternoon for MOZ066-077-
088-093-101.
KS...Flash Flood Watch until 1 PM CDT this afternoon for KSZ073-097-
101.
&&
SHORT TERM...Lindenberg
LONG TERM...Lindenberg
AVIATION...LindenbergHazardous weather outlook, Jul 16, 3:16 AM CST, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Springfield MO 416 AM CDT Fri Jul 16 2021 KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-170930- Bourbon-Crawford-Cherokee-Benton-Morgan-Miller-Maries-Vernon- St. Clair-Hickory-Camden-Pulaski-Phelps-Barton-Cedar-Polk-Dallas- Laclede-Texas-Dent-Jasper-Dade-Greene-Webster-Wright-Newton- Lawrence-Christian-Douglas-Howell-Shannon-McDonald-Barry-Stone- Taney-Ozark-Oregon- 416 AM CDT Fri Jul 16 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Weather hazards expected... Limited thunderstorm wind damage risk. Limited flooding risk. Significant lightning risk. DISCUSSION... Thunderstorms with very heavy rain will continue to train across some of the same locations today. Rainfall amounts of one to three inches with localized areas of 3 to 5 inches will be possible. This will lead to some flash flooding, especially in low lying areas and near creeks, streams and rivers across the area. The flash flood watch was expanded to include most of the area through 1 pm. A few strong storms will be possible with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph possible with the stronger storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Thunderstorm chances will continue across the area on Friday with only a limited chance for stronger storms. A few storms may affect parts of the area over the weekend but severe weather is not expected. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight. && More detailed information can be accessed at: http://www.weather.gov/sgf/sitrep This product in graphical format...along with other weather... hydrological and climate information...at http://www.weather.gov/sgf Lindenberg
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 16, 12:59 AM CST, 3 hours 44 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Springfield MO 159 AM CDT Fri Jul 16 2021 KSZ101-160745- Cherokee KS- 159 AM CDT Fri Jul 16 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN CHEROKEE COUNTY UNTIL 245 AM CDT... At 159 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Chetopa, moving east at 40 mph. Wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Baxter Springs... Columbus... Galena... Lowell... Treece... Neutral... Melrose... Riverton... Faulkner... Crestline... This includes Interstate 44 near mile marker 0. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3720 9462 3700 9462 3700 9507 3713 9507 TIME...MOT...LOC 0659Z 262DEG 33KT 3702 9519 Wise
Special weather statement, Jul 16, 3:21 AM CST, 1 hour 22 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Springfield MO 421 AM CDT Fri Jul 16 2021 KSZ101-161000- Cherokee KS- 421 AM CDT Fri Jul 16 2021 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN CHEROKEE COUNTY UNTIL 500 AM CDT... At 420 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Treece, or 7 miles east of Chetopa, moving east at 25 mph. Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Baxter Springs... Galena... Lowell... Treece... Neutral... Melrose... Riverton... Crestline... Lawton... This includes Interstate 44 near mile marker 0. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3723 9462 3700 9462 3700 9504 3708 9507 TIME...MOT...LOC 0920Z 254DEG 22KT 3702 9496 Wise
Local storm report, Jul 16, 4:43 AM CST, 0 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
543 AM CDT FRI JUL 16 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0543 AM FLOOD 1 SSW PRESTON 37.93N 93.22W
07/16/2021 HICKORY MO DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
ROUTE D IS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.
&&The radar
The Springfield radar (KSGF), 79 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:41 UTC.
Event by event
22 flash flood, 2 flood, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Flood, Hickory
- When
- July 16, 4:44 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
- Where
- Hickory County, 1.49 mi SSW of Wheatland to 2.11 mi S of Wheatland
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 37.930, -93.430
Route AA was closed due to flooding at Hogles Creek.
Flash Flood, Greene
- When
- July 17, 2:21 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
- Where
- Greene County, 2.14 mi NNE of Springfield to 2.1 mi NNE of Springfield
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 37.230, -93.290
Portions of Commercial and Kearney Streets in downtown had at least 12 inches of running water over them after 2.27 inches of rain fell in 45 minutes.
Flash Flood, Greene
- When
- July 17, 2:50 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
- Where
- Greene County, 1.3 mi ENE of Springfield to 1.13 mi NE of Springfield
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 37.210, -93.280
Numerous intersections in the mid town area of Springfield flooded. Manhole covers were popped off by water along Jefferson Street south of Chestnut Expressway. Two water rescues were performed as vehicles drove into flooded low water areas.
Flash Flood, Douglas
- When
- July 17, 3:44 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
- Where
- Douglas County, 0.88 mi SW of Ava to 0.29 mi SSW of Ava
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Amateur Radio
- Coordinates
- 36.940, -92.660
Highway 5 and 76 was flooded by Little Sugar Creek.
Flash Flood, Douglas
- When
- July 17, 3:47 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
- Where
- Douglas County, 2.76 mi W of Ava Muni Meml Arpt to 2.44 mi W of Ava Muni Meml Arpt
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Amateur Radio
- Coordinates
- 36.970, -92.730
Highway Y was flooded and impassable at Cowskin Creek.
Flash Flood, Douglas
- When
- July 17, 3:50 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
- Where
- Douglas County, 1.1 mi W of Ava to 1.13 mi WSW of Ava
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Amateur Radio
- Coordinates
- 36.950, -92.670
County Road 500 was flooded and impassable at Prairie Creek.
Flash Flood, Polk
- When
- July 17, 4:01 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
- Where
- Polk County, 0.88 mi SE of Bolivar to 1.5 mi ENE of Bolivar
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 37.610, -93.410
Flooding in town forced an ambulance to detour to reach its destination.
Flash Flood, St. Clair
- When
- July 17, 4:46 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
- Where
- St. Clair County, 3.5 mi S of Vista to 3.02 mi S of Vista
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 37.930, -93.670
SE 601 Road was flooded and impassable at Coon Creek.
Flash Flood, Douglas
- When
- July 17, 5:06 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
- Where
- Douglas County, 2.76 mi W of Ava Muni Meml Arpt to 2.43 mi W of Ava Muni Meml Arpt
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Amateur Radio
- Coordinates
- 36.970, -92.730
Highway Y was flooded and impassable at Cowskin Creek.
Flash Flood, Polk
- When
- July 17, 5:08 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
- Where
- Polk County, 0.88 mi SE of Bolivar to 1.49 mi NE of Bolivar
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Property damage
- $60,000
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 37.610, -93.410
Excessive rainfall caused flooding across the city of Bolivar. Some homes were flooded or had sewage water in their basements. Numerous roads were also flooded and impassable.
Thunderstorm Wind, Greene
- When
- July 17, 5:25 PM CST
- Where
- Greene County, 3.3 mi W of Bois D Arc
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- Fire Department/Rescue
- Coordinates
- 37.250, -93.580
A large tree was reported down at the intersection of Highway F and Farm Road 25.
Flash Flood, Polk
- When
- July 17, 5:50 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
- Where
- Polk County, 1.29 mi ENE of Flemington to 1.82 mi ENE of Flemington
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 37.810, -93.500
Highway O was flooded and impassable at a low water area.
Flash Flood, Polk
- When
- July 17, 6:15 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Polk County, 4.49 mi ENE of Schofield to 2.32 mi E of Schofield
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 37.565, -93.140
Roads between Highway 65 and Highway H along EE were flooded and impassable.
Thunderstorm Wind, Newton
- When
- July 17, 6:35 PM CST
- Where
- Newton County, Aroma
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 36.870, -94.280
A large event tent was blown completely down due to high winds. No injuries occurred.
Flash Flood, Newton
- When
- July 17, 6:55 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Newton County, 0.55 mi E of Granby to 0.89 mi NE of Granby
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 36.920, -94.260
Several streets were flooded in town including along Highway 60 and Main Street.
Flash Flood, Polk
- When
- July 17, 6:57 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Polk County, 3.52 mi SE of Rimby to 3.5 mi SE of Rimby
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 37.730, -93.210
Highway P was flooded and impassable at Lindley Creek.
Flash Flood, Polk
- When
- July 17, 7:00 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Polk County, 1.76 mi SE of Flemington to 1.61 mi SSE of Flemington
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 37.780, -93.500
Route O was closed and impassable at Rule Creek.
Flash Flood, Polk
- When
- July 17, 7:00 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Polk County, 2.14 mi NNE of Rondo to 1.68 mi NNE of Rondo
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 37.800, -93.460
Route V was closed and impassable due to flooding at Weaubleau Creek.
Flash Flood, Newton
- When
- July 17, 7:10 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Newton County, 3.94 mi E of Stella to 4.02 mi ESE of Stella
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Fire Department/Rescue
- Coordinates
- 36.760, -94.130
Highway A was flooded and impassable near a headwater tributary of Indian Creek.
Flash Flood, Newton
- When
- July 17, 7:18 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Newton County, 1.33 mi SE of Stark City to 1.06 mi SSE of Stark City
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Fire Department/Rescue
- Coordinates
- 36.858, -94.182
Highway 86 was flooded and impassable between Harrison Avenue and Highway M.
Flash Flood, McDonald
- When
- July 17, 7:25 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- McDonald County, 0.55 mi E of Rocky Comfort to 0.98 mi ESE of Rocky Comfort
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Fire Department/Rescue
- Coordinates
- 36.750, -94.090
Flooding was reported at Main and Mill Streets.
Flash Flood, Newton
- When
- July 17, 7:32 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Newton County, 0.69 mi S of Granby to 0.6 mi SSW of Granby
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 36.910, -94.270
Flooding was reported at low water areas along Tower Road.
Flash Flood, Polk
- When
- July 17, 8:10 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Polk County, 1.78 mi WNW of Schofield to 1.83 mi WNW of Schofield
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 37.560, -93.250
Highway YY was flooded and impassable at North Deer Creek.
Flash Flood, Barry
- When
- July 17, 9:00 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- Barry County, 0.55 mi E of Washburn to 0.96 mi SE of Washburn
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 36.580, -93.960
A portion of Highway 37 was flooding and impassable due to heavy rainfall.
Flash Flood, McDonald
- When
- July 17, 9:42 PM CST to July 18, 1:00 AM CST
- Where
- McDonald County, 1.31 mi WNW of Anderson to 2.05 mi NNE of Anderson
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 36.660, -94.450
Stellers and Cook Hill Roads were flooded and impassable due to heavy rainfall.
What these are
- Flood
- Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
- 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.
- 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.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Illinois, July 16 to 24, 2021
- Wildfire in Montana, July 16 to 20, 2021
- Lightning Strike in Pennsylvania, July 16, 2021
- Rip Current in Maryland, July 16, 2021
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, July 16, 2021
- Flash Flooding in Arizona, July 16, 2021
- Flash Flooding and Heavy Rain in New York, July 16 to 17, 2021
- Flash Flood and Flood in Indiana, July 16, 2021
- Hail and Damaging Winds in North Dakota, July 16, 2021
- Flooding and Damaging Winds in Ohio, July 16, 2021
- Damaging Winds in Ohio, July 16, 2021
- Damaging Wind in Texas, July 16, 2021
More
Every storm in Missouri in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Missouri, July 2021
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: 973704, 973705, 973706, 973707, 973708, 973709, 973710, 973711, 973713, 973714, 973716, 973701, 973717, 973720, 973702, 973721, 973722, 973725, 973726, 973727, 973728, 973729, 973731, 973732, 973735, 973733.