Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Topeka KS
- Areas
- Clay, KS; Washington, KS
- Places
- Clifton, Linn, Palmer
- In effect
- until 3:45 AM CDT, Oct 30, 2026
- Detection
- Radar and gauge indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads.”
NWS Topeka KS, Flash Flood Warning, 11:51 PM CDT Oct 29, 2026 · official alert
“Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Topeka KS, Flash Flood Warning, 11:51 PM CDT Oct 29, 2026 · official alert
“Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.”
NWS Topeka KS, Flash Flood Warning, 11:51 PM CDT Oct 29, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive into flooded roads. The National Weather Service says to turn around, don't drown, because most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive around barricades.
If you are in a low-lying area or near a small creek or stream, move to higher ground. Underpasses and poor-drainage areas can flood quickly.
Take extra care at night, when flood dangers are harder to see. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 5 paid claims in Clay County between 2011 and 2020, and 2 in Washington County between 2015 and 2026. These counts cover only insured properties, so they understate total flood losses.
Both counties are included in FEMA disaster declarations for severe storms and flooding. The most recent for Washington County was declared on September 1, 2026. Clay County's most recent was on February 17, 2022.
Updates
- NWS Topeka KS issued the flash flood warning until 3:45 AM CDT.
History here
Clay County: 5 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 2011, most recent 2020.
Clay County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4640 (2022): severe storms and straight line winds
- DR-4449 (2019): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding,landslides,and mudslides
- DR-4403 (2018): severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-4230 (2015): severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-4150 (2013): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding
Washington County: 2 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 2015, most recent 2026.
Washington County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4940 (2026): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding
- DR-4640 (2022): severe storms and straight line winds
- DR-4449 (2019): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding,landslides,and mudslides
- DR-4230 (2015): severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-4150 (2013): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Clay County, Kansas?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Topeka issued a Flash Flood Warning for Clay and Washington counties at 11:51 PM CDT. It runs until 3:45 AM CDT on October 30.
- How much rain has fallen in the warned area?
- The National Weather Service says between 3 and 3.5 inches of rain has fallen. Another 0.5 to 1 inch is possible in the warned area.
- Which places are affected by the flash flooding?
- The warning names Clifton, Linn and Palmer among the places that will experience flash flooding. It covers north central Clay County and southwestern Washington County.
Sources
- NWS Topeka KS: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 29, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.