Afternoon thunderstorms is an understatement at this point. The initial thunderstorms formed near Manhattan, KS in the early afternoon with more storms quickly filling the gap on their way eastward. The problem was that we were dealing with extensive amounts of rain, with radar estimates in excess of 3 inches per hour, with extremely slow moving storms. That is a bad situation on an already saturated ground from rain over the weekend.

Official reports as of 7:30 PM were still around 2.30 inches of total rain. Most of that fell in about a 45 minute span. Couple that heavy rain with windspeeds of 58 mph or greater, which was the case with the storm that rolled through Douglas county, it brought commuters to a standstill, and rightly so.

We have several pictures that were submitted by Lorne Slan, of the storm as it came in near 6th and Queens Road.
http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jun/16/IMG_0106.jpg

Also several flooding photos that he submitted as well near 23rd and Ousdahl.
http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jun/16/IMG_0121.jpg
http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jun/16/IMG_0117.jpg
http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jun/16/IMG_0114.jpg

Flash flooding is a serious issue for cars and foot traffic alike. Just a few inches of moving water can sweep a person off their feet, and less than two feet of water is enough to move most cars, and much less if there is a current. Part of the problem that people run into is that you can’t see if the water has washed out asphalt beneath and you won’t know how deep the water actually is.

The rule of thumb is as follows: If you can’t see the pavement beneath the water, you should NEVER try to cross it. It is best to find another way around any time there is high water whether by car, truck or on foot.

The National Weather Service has the slogan, “Turn around, don’t drown” that seems to stick in my mind every time we have heavy rain.

If you have any weather photos that you would like to submit, please do!