A storm overnight dropped between 7 and 11 inches of rain in just 12 hours. It left widespread flooding and damage across Wyandotte County. The storm began on the evening of July 16. It continued into the morning of July 17. It is being described as one of the heaviest rainfall events since 1993.
Public Works crews are actively responding to downed trees. They are also addressing street washouts, hillside slides, and erosion. These efforts are happening in multiple neighborhoods. Early reports estimate at least 30 to 40 trees were brought down, with more expected as assessments continue. Despite the damage, officials confirmed there have been no fatalities.
“This storm brought an extraordinary amount of rain in a very short time. Our teams have been working nonstop to respond,” said Troy Shaw, Director of Public Works. “Some neighborhoods saw flooding levels we haven’t experienced in decades. We appreciate residents’ patience as teams continue clearing streets and assessing the damage in the days ahead.”
Flood pump stations operated as designed during the storm. However, inspections and damage assessments are expected to take more than a week to complete. Public Works noted that limited staffing may slow the process, though crews are working evenings and weekends to address hazards.
Residents are urged to avoid the south side of the city. This is especially important along Inland Drive, north of Holiday Drive. Conditions remain dangerous in these areas. Tree limbs or debris blocking roads can be reported by calling 3-1-1.
Other updates include:
- Parks closures: Pierson Park is closed due to flooding. Visitors to Wyandotte County Lake are advised to use caution near the main entrance.
- Power outages: The Board of Public Utilities is monitoring and updating outage information on its BPU Power Outage Map.
- Storm debris disposal: KCK residents can find options for safe disposal on the Solid Waste Management webpage.
The Unified Government says documentation is underway to meet federal thresholds for disaster reimbursement. Cleanup and recovery efforts are expected to continue through the week.
