Intense downpours can cause flash flood. Usually, the waters dissipate quickly. However, on May 21, 1991, stationary thunderstorms dumped 8 inches of rain in 6 hours on Liberal Kansas. This caused the worst flood the city had seen in 45 years. More than 35 homes were damaged and many people had to be temporarily relocated. Some residents could only be reached by boat. Special pumping equipment was needed to remove the water. Fish, mostly catfish, were being caught in the streets. The flood waters took almost two days to be remove, remaining on the streets until 1 pm on the 23rd.
Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu