WICHITA, KS — Flooding remains a problem in west central Kansas, where the National Weather Service has kept a flood warning in effect for Greeley County and Wichita County through 10 a.m. CDT Saturday. The warning says the flooding is being caused by excessive rainfall that fell earlier and continues to affect roads and low-water crossings.
Emergency managers reported at 2:58 p.m. CDT Friday that roads were still flooded in the warned area. Even though no additional rainfall is expected, flooding impacts are expected to continue for several more hours.
Road closures and low-water crossings are still hazardous
The weather service said numerous roads remain closed because of the flooding. Low-water crossings are also inundated and may not be passable, making travel hazardous in parts of the two counties.
The alert specifically mentions conditions around Leoti, Tribune, Horace, Selkirk, Lydia and Marienthal. Those communities are in the area covered by the warning and could continue dealing with water-covered roads into Saturday morning.
Officials warned drivers to avoid trying to cross flooded roads. The safety message is direct: turn around, don’t drown.
Counties covered by the warning stretch across west central Kansas
The warning includes Greeley County and Wichita County, both in west central Kansas. The National Weather Service said the alert began at 2:01 p.m. CDT Friday and was set to expire at 10 a.m. CDT Saturday.
Because the flooding is tied to earlier rain rather than fresh storms, officials expect the situation to improve only gradually. Water can stay on roadways long after the rain has stopped, especially in low spots and drainage areas.
That lingering risk is part of why the warning remains active. Even without new precipitation, already-flooded roads can stay unsafe for travel.
Emergency managers say conditions are still changing
According to emergency management, roads remain flooded across the warned area because of previous heavy rain. That means the main concern is not a new round of storms, but water already on the ground and blocking travel routes.
The weather service said flooding impacts will continue. In practical terms, that leaves drivers, local residents and emergency crews watching for roads that may still be closed or under water as the morning approaches.
Flood warnings are issued when flooding is happening or expected soon. In this case, the warning reflects ongoing impacts rather than a short-lived nuisance.
Safety advice focuses on nighttime driving and hidden water
The National Weather Service urged people to stay aware of their surroundings and not drive on flooded roads. It also said drivers should be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize flooding danger.
The agency repeated a familiar warning for flooded-road situations: most flood deaths occur in vehicles. That is why even shallow water can be dangerous, especially when it is moving or hiding damaged pavement below the surface.
For anyone traveling in the warning area, the safest option is to avoid flooded routes and find another way around. Water over a road may look manageable, but conditions can change quickly.
What the warning means for local travelers this morning
The current alert does not call for more rain, but it does signal that travel problems are still likely in the counties covered by the warning. That includes roads that are closed now and crossings that may remain unusable until water recedes.
For residents and motorists in Greeley and Wichita counties, the key detail is timing: the warning lasts until 10 a.m. CDT Saturday. Until then, officials are asking people to plan around flooded roads and avoid unnecessary travel through affected areas.
Conditions in flood warnings can improve unevenly, so one road may reopen before another. Travelers in the affected towns and surrounding rural areas are being urged to check conditions carefully and treat every flooded roadway as unsafe.
When the weather turns dangerous, SVH Snow is watching.
