April 3, 2014 Flood Warrensburg, Missouri Johnson County

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -  

ALERT: A flood warning is in effect for Bates, Carroll, Cass, Cooper, Henry, Johnson (Mo.) and Saline counties.

Flash floods have hit parts of eastern Johnson County in Missouri after heavy rainfall overnight. The severe weather that swept across the state, including one tornado in a St. Louis suburb, has prompted Gov. Nixon to declare a state of emergency.

Rushing water from Bear Creek, just outside of Warrensburg, created a problem for drivers Thursday morning.

A water rescue was launched around 6 a.m., after a woman's van stalled on NE Division Road. Emergency crews were able to get her out of the vehicle safely, then were called to another rescue.

Members of the Johnson County Fire District were looking for the jet skis swept away in that rescue until late afternoon Thursday.

One of the jet skis, they said, was found about a mile away from the initial water rescue. 

Earlier, a rescue happened around 4:15 a.m., when a vehicle was trapped in three feet of water on SW F Highway. One of three firefighters was missing for a short time after the jet ski he was using in the rescue had mechanical problems. He was located shortly after. No injuries were reported.

Traffic on eastbound 50 Highway was slow-moving because of flooding in the median.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said Mo. Route 23, between County Roads NE 950 and NE 1125, and Route E, between Route MM and Route CC, are closed. Route T is also closed two miles north of 50 Highway.

Six inches of water is enough to stall a vehicle. One foot of water can easily flood the car and two feet can sweep even an SUV off the roadway.  Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Storm’s heavy rain forces closure of 50 Highway between KC and Warrensburg

Posted on: 8:05 am, April 3, 2014, by AP Wire, updated on: 12:48pm, April 3, 2014

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The backup on 50 Highway from KC to Warrensburg on Thursday morning due to high water over the pavement.

WARRENSBURG, Mo. —  High water made it too dangerous for drivers to pass near 50 Highway and 217th Street, and authorities closed down the highway Thursday morning, making travel from Kansas City into Warrensburg impossible via 50 Highway.

The highway was expected to be closed for about two hours, hopefully reopening at about noon, but until then, drivers headed east toward Warrensburg and other towns along 50 Highway need to find an alternate route.

At the University of Central Missouri, the bookstore closed because water covered part of the floor from the rapid rainfall. Students report the carpet and tile flooring is soaking wet. University officials reportedly closed the area to prevent injury from anyone slipping on the floor. Students needing to get into the bookstore where they receive ‘scantrons’ or bubble sheets for exams are being allowed in one-by-one.

Courtesy: Kenny Todd and Lyla Pekarsky. Cell phone picture outside UCM’s bookstore in Warrensburg.

Additionally, emergency crews rescued a few motorists after storms pushed across western Missouri, forcing creeks out of their banks.

The National Weather Service issued flash flood watches for much of Missouri on Thursday and said areas along Interstate 70 received up to 6 inches of rain in the last three days.

Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Collin Stosberg said no injuries were reported, but two sections of U.S. 50 in Johnson County closed because of flooding.

Related: Info. from Mo. State Highway Patrol on flooding hazards

Johnson County crews rescued a woman early Thursday after she became stranded in her vehicle by rising water. Three rescuers also needed help after their jet skis became clogged with debris and were disabled. Pettis County crews also rescued a man whose vehicle was swept into a field at a waterway crossing.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency, in light of the flooding and the tornado in the suburban St. Louis town of University City.

Nixon activated the State Emergency Operations Center and the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which allows state agencies to coordinate with local jurisdictions for emergency services.

No injuries were reported in University City, but several homes were damaged by the twister that touched down at 5:23 a.m.  For more on the tornado in University City, click here for coverage from our sister station, KTVI in St. Louis.

Additionally, Crestridge R-7 is dismissing at 11:30 due to high flood waters.

Thursday closures included:

Mo. 23 Hwy between County Roads NE 950
NE 1125 Route E between Route MM and Route CC
Eastbound U.S. 50 at NW 151st
Westbound U.S. 50 at Business 50 Both highways are located in Johnson County, Mo.

For more information about all flooded state highways in your area, call 1-888-275-6636. Or to see a complete, updated list of flooded state highways throughout the day, go online to MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map athttp://maps.modot.mo.gov/travelerinformation/TravelerInformation.aspx.