Wichita sees record rainfall, widespread flooding and storm damage, Kansas
Severe thunderstorms swept through Central Kansas on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, bringing record-breaking rainfall and triggering flash flood emergencies. Eastern Wichita and surrounding areas faced dangerous flooding, road closures, and water rescues as rain totals reached up to 203 mm (8 inches) in some locations.
Floods in Wichita on June 3, 2025. Credit: Reagan Vierthaler
Severe thunderstorms moved across Central Kansas on Tuesday, June 3, bringing intense rainfall of 26 to 76 mm (1 to 3 inches) per hour. The downpour has caused dangerous flooding in eastern Wichita and nearby areas, and a flash-flood emergency is in place.
Tornado activity added to the intensity of the severe weather sweeping through Kansas. By 16:05 local time (21:05 UTC), June 3, Wichita Eisenhower Airport measured 60.9 mm (2.40 inches) of rain, surpassing the old daily record of 42.4 mm (1.67 inches) set in 1932.
Rainfall totals in the Flash Flood Emergency area approached 177.8 mm (7 inches), leading to widespread flooding as drainage systems failed to keep up. Areas east of Interstate-135 saw the heaviest impacts, with more than a dozen rescues carried out until now.
North Meridian Street, between 125th and 117th near Valley Center, is reported to be fully underwater. In Butler County, the area around Dry Creek saw 203.2 mm (8 inches) of rainfall in the 24 hours before 09:00 local time (14:00 UTC) on June 3.
Wichita Fire crews handled 77 incidents involving submerged vehicles on June 3, pointing to the dangerous conditions across the city.
In response to the intensifying storm conditions, officials opened the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka to stay on top of the situation. Around the Kansas City area, reports came in of wind-related damage, including a tractor-trailer overturned on Interstate 70.
Tornado sirens were also activated after a large tornado was confirmed near Raytown, Kansas City.
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Wichita expects rain and thunderstorms to continue through Thursday, with skies gradually clearing and temperatures rising toward the end of the week.
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