Rounds of heavy rain fell Friday evening leading to flash flooding in parts of the Kansas City metro area. Up to six inches fell in just two hours on parts of the city, leaving some downtown and Midtown roads impassable.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for the immediate downtown Kansas City area. It was the first flash flood emergency ever issued for the Kansas City area by the NWS.
A flash flood warning was also issued for eastern Wyandotte County, Kansas, northeastern Johnson County, Kansas, northwestern Jackson County, Missouri, and northwestern Clay County, Missouri.
Shortly after midnight, a flood warning was extended for the metro and outlying areas to remain in effect until 6:15 am.
When the emergency alert was issued, the NWS advised residents to move to higher ground and avoid travel unless fleeing a flooded area.
The Kansas City Fire Department reported conducting multiple rescues in locations including downtown, the Plaza and northeast Kansas City.
News outlets and social media sources reported flooding at the Midland Theater in downtown Kansas City and high waters at Brush Creek near the Plaza, in Westport and in Prairie Village, Kansas.
The Kansas City police department reported waters had receded in some areas by 10:30 p.m.
The Kansas City Streetcar announced at 10:30 pm that it resumed service after a delay which began about an hour earlier.
Due to the flooding, Kansas City International Airport listed minor flight delays for Saturday as of 11:30 p.m. Friday.
Weather forecasts called for scattered thunderstorms in the area on Saturday and Sunday.
