Kansas weather alert: NWS Warns of severe thunderstorm and flood risk in Osage County

PARTS of Kansas are under multiple weather alerts on Monday, April 27, 2026, as the National Weather Service (NWS) warns of potential severe thunderstorms and rising water levels.

According to the NWS Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 156 remains in effect until 10:00 AM CDT for a large portion of eastern Kansas.

The watch includes counties such as Anderson, Coffey, Dickinson, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Linn, Lyon, Miami, Morris, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Wyandotte.

The NWS said atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms across the region. These storms could produce damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.

A watch means severe weather is possible, and residents are advised to stay alert and monitor updates as conditions can change quickly.

Flood warning for Osage County

In addition to the storm threat, the NWS Topeka has issued a Flood Warning for Salt Creek near Lyndon in Osage County.

The NWS reported that at 7:17 AM CDT, the water level at Salt Creek was 6.8 feet. However, levels are expected to rise significantly and exceed the flood stage of 10.0 feet later in the morning.

Forecasts from the NWS indicate the creek will crest at around 12.3 feet in the afternoon before gradually falling below flood stage later in the day.

Expected impact

According to the NWS, the flooding is expected to be minor, but it may still impact low-lying areas, especially farmland near the Highway 75 bridge. At flood stage, water typically begins to spill into nearby fields.

While major infrastructure damage is not anticipated, localised waterlogging and road hazards remain a concern.

Safety advisory

The National Weather Service has urged residents to exercise caution. Motorists are strongly advised not to drive through flooded roads or around barricades, as even shallow water can pose serious risks.

With both severe storm potential and rising water levels, officials recommend staying updated with weather alerts and being prepared to take quick action if conditions worsen.

Meanwhile, a tornado-producing thunderstorm left at least two people dead in northern Texas and displaced at least 20 families, with many homes sustaining major damage, authorities said Sunday.

At least one person was killed and numerous homes were damaged Saturday night in the town of Runaway Bay, said Wise County Judge J.D. Clark, who serves as the county’s chief executive.

Emergency responders worked to clear debris to reach damaged homes and provide medical care where needed, Clark said.

“Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach those in need,” Clark said.

The storm also hit Springtown, where Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt said in an email that a second person died south of the city limits. There was “significant damage” in the area, Pruitt said.

“One of the most significant ongoing challenges is the widespread power outage affecting many residents,” he wrote.

National Weather Service teams confirmed that an EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 135 mph (217 kph) touched down in the Runaway Bay area. An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph (169 kph) was confirmed in the Springtown area, the weather service said.

The slow-moving supercell travelled through the area around 10 p.m. Saturday, said meteorologist Patricia Sanchez with the Fort Worth weather service office.

It moved southeast from around Wichita Falls, near the Oklahoma border, passing just west of Fort Worth. Runaway Bay is about 45 miles (72 km) northwest of Fort Worth on Lake Bridgeport. Springtown is about 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Fort Worth.

Weather service radar picked up a “potentially large and extremely dangerous” tornado near Azle at 10:14 p.m. Saturday. That's about another 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Springtown.