HITCHCOCK COUNTY, Neb. (KSNW) — Some people in northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska are dealing with flooding after a lot of rain.
The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency in western Hitchcock County, Nebraska, earlier on Friday. It has now expired. The area got 5 to 10 inches of rain. First responders were busy with water rescues. Some of the rescues were from homes along Railway Street. The water was waist-deep.
Flooding in Pallisade, Nebraska of Frenchman Creek (Courtesy: Robert D. Hanzlick) 
A home surrounded by flooding in Stratton, Nebraska, May 26, 2023. (Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
South edge of Stratton, Nebraska, May 26, 2023. (Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
The railroad bridge west and south of Trenton, Nebraska, May 26, 2023 (Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
A bridge south of Stratton, Nebraska, May 26, 2023. (Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
West side of Stratton, Nebraska, May 26, 2023 (Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
West side of Stratton, Nebraska, May 26, 2023 (Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
(Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
The Muddy Creek and the Republican River meet on the west side of Stratton. On the east side is Hay Creek. The people from the south side were evacuated by boat. (Courtesy Midwest Media by Melanie) 
A car south and on the west edge of Stratton, Nebraska, May 26, 2023. (Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
(Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
(Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
(Courtesy The Hitchcock County News and Benkelman Post) 
Northwest of McCook, May 26, 2023 (Courtesy Midwest Media by Melanie) 
Northwest of McCook, May 26, 2023 (Courtesy Midwest Media by Melanie)
Flash flood warnings were in place in Decatur and Rawlins counties in Kansas and Red Willow and Hitchcock counties in Nebraska.
“In Stratton, they were using several different boats to rescue people from residences,” said Brandon Myers, Director of Region 51 Emergency Management. “Last count we had was they were at four houses, rescued six people total. As we get more information, that number may go up, but that is the last number we had.”
Palisade Volunteer Fire and Rescue in Hitchcock County posted this message on its Facebook page:
With the flooding situations in the area, the Palisade Fire and Rescue is encouraging people to stay home! We are currently involved in a rescue situation and are asking the public to stay home, and away from any rushing and flood waters. We are spread thin enough and would appreciate the public’s assistance by staying put!!! Please try and prevent any other emergencies! Please stay safe and please BE SMART!!!!”
Palisade Volunteer Fire and Rescue
From the KSN Storm Track 3 Team, McCook in Red Willow County had 4.37 inches of rain as of 9:45 a.m. Heavy rain continues with radar estimates of up to 7 inches near McCook.
The Dundy County Sheriff’s Office posted some pictures of the flooding there. They say a rural bridge has been washed out north of the town of Max.
Pictures taken by DCSO deputies while checking water levels on the highways. (Courtesy Dundy County Nebraska Sheriff’s Office) 
Dundy County, Nebraska (Courtesy Dundy County Sheriff’s Office) 
Pictures taken by DCSO deputies while checking water levels on the highways. (Courtesy Dundy County Nebraska Sheriff’s Office) 
Pictures taken by DCSO deputies while checking water levels on the highways. (Courtesy Dundy County Nebraska Sheriff’s Office) 
Pictures taken by DCSO deputies while checking water levels on the highways. (Courtesy Dundy County Nebraska Sheriff’s Office) 
Pictures taken by DCSO deputies while checking water levels on the highways. (Courtesy Dundy County Nebraska Sheriff’s Office)
The latest update is from NDOT. Hwy 34 is open now. However they ask you do not travel it unless absolutely necessary. The bridge outside of Stratton has not been checked for structural integrity, and as you can see the damage that has already happened to the tracks along side of it. Hwy 61 remains underwater at CR 719 and is expected to remain under water for a few days as the water is standing and not flowing. After revealing the roadway it will have to be inspected for safety as well due to the pickup was originally sitting on the road surface. Max-Wauneta Road has lost the bridge and will remain closed to thru traffic until repaired. Remember, you cannot see what is under the water so always use extreme caution when dealing with water or areas near the water. Also, with this amount of rain it is always possible the ground under the roadways could give out with traffic.”
Dundy County Sheriff’s Office
At 12:15 p.m., the Rawlins County Sheriff’s Office said that the town of Herndon and Highway 117 are flooded. No traffic is being allowed through. The sheriff’s office, emergency management, the fire department, and the Kansas Department of Transportation are on the scene.
Myers, the Nebraska Region 51 Emergency Management director, said that rescuing people from floods is dangerous work.
“When we say deep, if it’s more than a foot, it’s deep because that can wash someone right off their feet and take them down,” he said.
Myers said the rescuers must use caution because of what is on top of the water and what might be hiding underneath the surface.
“So you got rescuers with boats trying to get to residences and get people evacuated out to safety,” he said. “And then just in that water, the amount of debris, some of it you see on top of the water, but if it’s rushing fast enough, you’ll have logs and stuff that are just under the water you won’t see. So it is a very dangerous thing to be doing.”
If you are traveling in Kansas, you can check road conditions by clicking here.
If you are traveling in Nebraska, click here for road conditions.
Rainfall amounts
- 9:59 a.m. MDT – Observed rainfall of 7.47″ – 3 miles west-southwest of Palisade, Hitchcock County, Nebraska
- 10:01 a.m. MDT- Observed rainfall of 6.49″ – in Dundy County, Nebraska, 14 miles west of Palisade
- 10:03 a.m. MDT – Observed rainfall of 4.10″ – 2 miles east of Culbertson, Hitchcock County
- 10:04 a.m. MDT – Observed rainfall of 3.80″ – 5 miles north of Parks, Dundy County
- 11:46 AM MDT – Observed rainfall of 9.03″ – McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska
- 11:59 a.m. MDT – Observed rainfall of 6.33″ – 1 mile east of McCook
- 12:02 p.m. MDT – Observed rainfall of 7.03″ – 6 miles west-northwest of McCook
- 12:03 p.m. MDT – Observed rainfall of 8.05″ – 4 miles west of McCook
- 12:05 p.m. MDT – Observed rainfall of 7.74″ – McCook
- 12:06 p.m. MDT – Observed rainfall of 9.52″ – 1 mile north of McCook
- 12:07 p.m. MDT – Observed rainfall of 7.49″ – 1 miles southeast of McCook
