Flash flood warning issued for northern Clay County, thunderstorm watch for KC area eastward

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Sunday for northern Clay County, southern Clinton County and western Ray County after a slow-moving thunderstorm dumped 2 to 3 inches of rain on the saturated area.

Runoff from the excessive rain could cause flash flooding in Excelsior Springs, Kearney, Lawson, Richmond, Smithville, Crystal Lakes, Excelsior Estates, Holt, Trimble, Woods Heights and the surrounding areas, the weather service said. The warning was in effect until 5:30 p.m. and covered Interstate 35 between mile markers 22 and 37.

The weather service also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for a region extending from the Kansas City area east to Central Missouri and beyond. Radar show a line of storms between St. Joseph and Kansas City east to the north of Interstate 70 across much of Missouri. The storms were tracking mostly to the east.

Pamela Murray, a meteorologist at the weather service office in Pleasant Hill, said she had received reports of one-inch hail from Faucett, Mo., which is 16 miles north of Platte City on Interstate 29. Murray also said she and other meteorologists were keeping a close eye on the Fishing River in Excelsior Springs.

The areas affected by the watch are at risk for heavy wind, hail and/or rainfall between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 inches Sunday afternoon, which could increase the risk of flooding for small creeks, streams, urban areas, streets and underpasses. Murray said the threat of storms should evaporate on Monday.

“It’s going to be hot and humid in the upper 90s,” the meteorologist said, “so heat will be the main threat.”

This story was originally published June 21, 2015 at 12:31 PM with the headline "Flash flood warning issued for northern Clay County, thunderstorm watch for KC area eastward."