Flooding risk grows as storms bring heavy rain to the Kansas City area

Robert A. Cronkleton, The Kansas City Star on Sep 15, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Flash and river flooding are possible as showers and thunderstorms spread across the Kansas City area Tuesday, bringing heavy downpours at times, according to the National Weather Service.

The heaviest rainfall is expected in northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri, where the ground is already saturated after heavy rain Tuesday morning. An additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible, with higher amounts in areas where storms repeatedly move over the same locations, the weather service said.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch that is in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday through 1 p.m. Wednesday, including the Kansas City area.

The weather service said total rainfall of 2 to more than 6 inches of rain is possible, mainly north of the Missouri River. Most of the region faces a slight risk (Level 2 of 4) of excessive rainfall; a swath including the St. Joseph area faces a moderate risk (Level 3 of 4).

“Places in far NW MO and NE KS have already seen several inches of rain, making those areas more susceptible to flooding from subsequent storms,” the weather service said.

Runoff is expected to flow into creeks and streams, causing river levels to rise and currents to speed up. Urban areas and locations with poor drainage also could experience flooding, the weather service said.

There is also a marginal risk (Level 1 of 5) for strong to severe thunderstorms Tuesday evening, the weather service said. Damaging winds are the most likely hazard in strong to severe storms.

Temperatures are expected to vary widely across the region, with highs near 80 degrees expected in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas and the mid- to upper 90s in central Missouri, where heat index values of 100 to 105 degrees are possible on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Kansas City, temperatures are expected to reach about 91 degrees on Tuesday, above the metro area’s mid-September average of 80 degrees. The heat index is expected to climb into the upper-90s.

Storm chances are expected to linger through the week, with additional rain possible this weekend and into Monday evening. Drier weather is expected by early to midweek next week.