KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for some areas in Missouri, and a flash flood watch for some counties in Missouri and Kansas ahead of forecasted heavy rain.
Weather service meteorologists said a flood warning is in effect for areas along Big Creek in Cass, Henry and Johnson counties, and also along the South Grand River in Bates, Cass and Henry counties in Missouri.
The warning is in effect until late Thursday night, when Big Creek is expected to fall below flood stage.
Before then, Big Creek is forecasted to near 23.7 feet by early Wednesday morning. That’s more than 3 feet above flood stage.
At 23 feet, NWS said flooding occurs on the N Highway bridge west of Blairstown and across B Highway to Blairstown’s north.
The NWS warns against driving through moving water, stating as little as 6 inches of water can cause loss of control, and two feet can carry most vehicles away.
A flash flood watch goes into effect for several Missouri and Kansas counties Monday night, remaining in effect until Tuesday night.
In Missouri, the watch includes Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, De Kalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Jackson, Lafayette, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Putnam, Ray, Sullivan and Worth counties.
On the Kansas side, Atchison, Doniphan, Johnson, Leavenworth, Linn, Miami and Wyandotte counties are included in the watch.
NWS said several rounds of thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall, with amounts totaling 1 to 3 inches.
The already-saturated soil increases potential for flash flooding.
Low-lying and flood-prone areas will quickly flood during and immediately after the rainfall, according to the NWS.
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