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Flash flood warning issued for Kansas City as heavy rains drench metro

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Key Takeaways

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  • National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Kansas City metro Monday.
  • Heavy rain prompted warnings for urban flooding in Kansas and Missouri counties.
  • Storms may bring more rain and gusts up to 40 mph through midday in the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Kansas City metro area as thunderstorms sweep across the region on Monday morning.

At 9:23 a.m., Doppler radar indicated that storms were producing heavy rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding in small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses, as well as other areas with poor drainage and low-lying areas, the weather service said.

Between 1 and 2 inches of rain had fallen, and an additional .5 to 1 inch of rain was possible. Flash flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly, the weather service said.

The warning was issued for eastern Johnson County, east-central Wyandotte County, northwestern Cass County and southwestern Kansas City.

Thunderstorms moving east from Kansas into Missouri is drenching the Kansas City area with heavy rains on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. A flood advisory has been issued for the metro until 11:30 a.m.
Thunderstorms moving east from Kansas into Missouri is drenching the Kansas City area with heavy rains on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. A flood advisory has been issued for the metro until 11:30 a.m. National Weather Service in Kansas City

Which areas are expected to experience flash flooding?

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Raytown, Grandview, Belton, Prairie Village, Raymore, Merriam, Mission, Spring Hill, Peculiar, Fairway, Mission Hills and Westwood, the weather service said.

The warning came about 40 minutes after the weather service issued a flood advisory for the metro area, which remains in effect until 11:30 a.m.

Torrential rains near 103rd and Stateline Road caused Indian Creek to rage, drawing visitors who stopped by see it at Indian Creek Greenway Trail on Monday, July 21, 2025 in Kansas City.
Torrential rains near 103rd and Stateline Road caused Indian Creek to rage, drawing visitors who stopped by see it at Indian Creek Greenway Trail on Monday, July 21, 2025 in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

The weather service issued an advisory for Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, as well as Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties in Missouri.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Shawnee, Blue Springs, Lenexa, Leawood, Raytown, Liberty, Gladstone, Grandview, Belton, Prairie Village, Raymore, Gardner, Merriam, Mission and Bonner Springs, the weather service said.

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Most flood deaths occur in vehicles

Drivers are urged to turn around if they encounter flooded roads.

“Most flood deaths occur in vehicles,” the weather service said.

The scattered thunderstorms were expected to continue moving from eastern Kansas into central Missouri.

“Brief heavy downpours, and wind gusts to 40 mph are possible,” the weather service said on X, formerly Twitter. “The risk for severe thunderstorms remains very low. These storms are expected to persist into midday.”

This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 9:21 AM.

Robert A. Cronkleton
The Kansas City Star
Robert A. Cronkleton is a breaking news reporter for The Kansas City Star, covering crime, courts, transportation, weather and climate. He’s been at The Star for 36 years. His skills include multimedia and data reporting and video and audio editing. Support my work with a digital subscription
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