Web posted
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Lot of rain, few problems
By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer
reporter@arkcity.net
City crews Monday night closed storm water gates on both rivers here as they rose to near flood stage, a city official said today.
The Arkansas River did go above flood stage this morning, reaching 18.6 feet by 8:15 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Minor flooding is expected, but little more rain is expected, said Bob Frazee, emergency management coordinator for the city.
"We are expecting some showers today but nothing like yesterday," he said. "The severe weather should stay south of us."
The most rain that fell in this area occurred in the Arkansas River basin at Sumner County, he added. Oxford had 3.61 inches of rain.
The city received 3 inches of rain, according to a rain gauge at City Hall.
No accidents were reported by the Ark City Police Department. "A few cars were stalled out from high waters," Frazee said.
The area around Sixth Street and Lincoln Avenue was flooded this morning and the road was closed, he said.
"We had several other streets closed for awhile but they were opened back up by 1 a.m.," Frazee said.
The Ark City area received 2 inches of rain in two hours Monday, between 6 and 8 p.m., he said.
The area remained under a flood warning until Friday morning or until the warning is canceled, the NWS in Wichita said this morning.
The Arkansas River will continue rising and crest near 22.8 feet by early Wednesday morning, the NWS said. The river will fall below flood stage Thursday before midnight.
The Winfield area was expected to have moderate flooding as the Walnut River continues to rise, Frazee said. This river was at a stage of 19.8 feet this morning there and was expected to crest Wednesday evening at 27.3 feet.
Frazee advised all drivers: "Don't drive around barricades. Turn around, don't drown."
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