Heavy rain to increase flood threat in parts of the US this weekend
By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist
A dangerous and potentially life-threatening flooding situation will unfold from parts of Kansas to Ohio this weekend.
Multiple rounds of heavy rain will drench the mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys during the Fourth of July weekend.
The heaviest rain is likely to fall from northeastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska to central Indiana.
"Heavy rain and thunderstorms will bring flash flooding to eastern Kansas and northern and central Missouri through Sunday morning," AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis said.
On Saturday, numerous water rescues were performed in Wichita, Kansas, where over 5 inches of rain fell.
"The threat for flooding will shift eastward from northern and central Missouri to central Indiana during Sunday and across the Ohio Valley on the Fourth of July," Travis said.
Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible from Topeka, Kansas, to Kansas City; Springfield, Illinois; and Indianapolis. Isolated amounts up to 6 inches or more are possible.
West Virginia flooding in June:
Travel delays are expected on the road and in the air for anyone traveling for the Fourth of July holiday.
Those traveling at highway speeds are urged to slow down in any heavy downpour to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
Should any roads get covered with water, turn around and find an alternate route. It only takes a foot of rushing water to carry away a small vehicle.
Flooding will progress from urban and poor drainage areas to progressively larger streams this weekend and some of the major waterways, including the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, this week.
Those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas should have an emergency preparedness kit on hand in the event of an evacuation.
Conditions are expected to slowly improve early this week as the worst of the rain shifts to the Tennessee Valley and mid-Atlantic. Evening fireworks shows could stay as planned across the Plains and Missouri Valley but may be delayed or cancelled across portions of the Ohio Valley as showers and thunderstorms may stick around into the evening hours.
The risk for flooding will spread eastward early this week into West Virginia and the mid-Atlantic states.
More from Accuweather:
West Virginians grapple with devastating losses as threat for additional flooding looms
Putrid algae overtakes Florida's south coast just days before July Fourth
Daily storms to douse southeastern US this week
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