Flash flooding engulfed metro areas in Kansas City Monday and Tuesday, forcing residents to take desperate measures to stay alive.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning early this morning as police and fire rescue teams reportedly received more than 130 calls for assistance.
Streets in the area were blocked off as overnight rains poured in within hours — prompting pedestrians, motorists and emergency officials to seek dry land above rooftops.
The National Weather Service reported no immediate deaths linked to the severe flood, which is the second of its kind to occur in Kansas City over the past month.
Aerial photo from a video by KCTV5 shows a family forced onto the roof of a home in Overland Park, Kan., on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, after heavy rains caused flash flooding in Kansas City
Flash flooding in Kansas City leads to residents stranded on roofs and emergency officials evacuating them
Rains south of the city were said to have rose over 17 feet within hours, hitting a new record level
In one neighborhood, at least 9 inches of rain fell between Monday night and early Tuesday.
One woman was rescued from a tree after the flood swept her car away, and able to remove herself from the vehicle to safety.
Kansas City Fire Department Dep. Chief Jeff Johnson told WDAF ‘the car actually flipped over on its side and pinned her against the tree and she was able to climb up the tree as the car moved.’
Rains south of the city caused Indian Creek to rise over 17 feet within hours, hitting a new record level.
Police say voluntary evacuations were in effect at the creek from 103rd and Stateline to Wornall Road and 99th and Holmes.
Police say voluntary evacuations took place along Indian Creek from 103rd and Stateline to Wornall Road and near 99th and Holmes
One woman was rescued from a tree after the flood swept her car away, was able to remove herself from the car
People waited on roofs as emergency officials stalled the evacuation process until flooding diminished
Areas of the creek were nearly 3 feet above the previous record from June 2010, according to the National Weather Service.
In Overland Park, fire officials reported three adults, four children and at least one pet sought safety on the roof of a house after flooding along the Blue River inundated the home.
Firefighters said the folks waited atop homes while emergency officials stalled evacuation process until flooding diminished.
Several schools in the region issued delays and cancellations for classes.
In some areas, school buses were unable to operate vehicles due to the overabundance of rain.