HOWARD CO. — Flash flooding occurred along the creeks and streams of Howard and Sherman counties after slow moving thunderstorms produced large amounts of rain on Thursday, May 30.
Alan Hickford, meteorologist with the National Weather Service – Hastings, said that several slow moving thunderstorms produced two to five inches of rain northwest of Grand Island and contributed to the flooding.
“Numerous rural, county roads remain closed due to flooding that occurred earlier Thursday morning. In addition, several small creeks and streams remain out of their banks,” NWS Hastings stated.
A Flood Warning was in effect for the eastern part of Sherman County and much of central Howard County until 12 p.m. on Friday.
Flooding led to the closure of several rural and county roads within an area centered five miles either side of a line running from the Sherman Reservoir to St. Paul.
A gauge at Turkey Creek near Dannebrog showed 20.34 feet at 4:45 p.m., the record crest for this location was 20.7 on March 14, 2019, per NWS Hastings.
One of the communities directly impacted was Farwell, with flood waters closing down Lander Ave. Tractors were on site to remove water logged hail bales and an excavator worked to remove a trailer which was blocking drainage through a culvert.
Hickford said that water levels have begun to level off, but NWS Hastings will be paying close attention to any thunderstorms that develop over the area during the evening that could track into the flood warning area, or pose a similar threat elsewhere.
“While flood waters should continue to slowly recede over the next 12 to 24 hours and creeks should ease back to within their banks, there is the possibility of additional heavy rainfall this evening, which could cause renewed flooding issues, if it occurs,” NWS Hastings noted in their flood warning.
Residents are advised to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” when encountering a flooded road, as most flood deaths occur within vehicles.