KCFD: 23 water rescues performed as overnight storms drench Kansas City area

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Heavy rainfall is leading to flooding and dangerous road conditions around the Kansas City area this morning.

Follow our live blog below for updates on conditions.

UPDATE, 9:10 a.m. | A Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department spokesperson says crews performed 23 water rescues early Thursday morning after several inches of rain fell overnight.

The spokesperson said all of the rescues were conducted safely and without injury.

UPDATE, 8:40 a.m. | Marlon Martinez talked to a motorist who was stranded for four hours on Chouteau Trafficway.

UPDATE, 7:40 a.m. | As the rain clears the area, utility crews will finally have a chance to start chipping away at power outages from overnight.

As of 7:30 a.m., Evergy reported more than 21,000 customers without power, including nearly 9,000 customers in Johnson County, Kansas, and more than 3,300 customers in Jackson County, Missouri.

The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities in Wyandotte County reports 2,300 customers without power.

UPDATE, 7:30 a.m. | Police in Overland Park report flooding concerns near W. 103rd and Metcalf.

UPDATE, 7:22 a.m. | KCFD checks on many vehicles stranded at I-435 & 23rd Street.

UPDATE, 7:15 a.m. | Vehicles continue to attempt to navigate flooded roadways this morning.

UPDATE: 7 a.m. | Marlon Martinez showing you high water, cars stranded at Gardner and Chouteau Trafficway.

UPDATE: 6:30 a.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Brush Creek at Ward Parkway from now until 6:00 p.m. Ward Parkway and Shawnee Mission Parkway has begun to flood. The area along the creek between Belleview Avenue and Rockwell also begins to flood.

UPDATE: 6:20 a.m.: The National Weather service says A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 8:45 a.m.

UPDATE: 6 a.m.: KSHB 41 photographer Tim Hellhake is in the West Bottoms area where flooding is still a concern.

UPDATE: 5:55 a.m.: KCFD executed 18 water rescues starting shortly after the rains began and through the current time. All the rescues involved vehicles in high water at various locations. Every vehicle occupant was extricated safely, and no injuries were reported. Never drive or walk in high water. Turn around, don't drown.

UPDATE 5:49 a.m. : KSHB 41 Traffic Anchor Daniela Leon is watching road conditions around the metro, including several closures.

UPDATE 5:48 a.m. : KSHB 41 News Reporter Marlon Martinez is watching road conditions in Johnson County.

UPDATE 5:47 a.m. : A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 6:45 a.m. for Johnson County, southeastern Leavenworth County, Wyandotte County, southeastern Clay County, western Jackson County and southeastern Platte County.

UPDATE 5:45 a.m. : Power outages:
Evergy: 508 outages, impacting 24,585 customers
BPU 79 outages, 4,022 customers out
Independence Power and Light: 29 outages, impacting 460 customers

UPDATE 5:35 a.m.: The National Weather Service lists several road closures due to high water.

UPDATE 5:32: I-35 is shut down in both directions at Lamar due to high water.

The Kansas City Fire Department says it has responded to numerous water rescues because of the heavy rains from overnight.

According to KCFD, they involve cars being stuck in high water at several locations.

KCFD says the rescues normally involve KCFD members simply walking the occupants out.

KCFD expects these incidents to continue until the rain stops and low areas drain.

Right now, I-70 at Broadway is closed in both directions due to flooding over the road in that area.

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