High Water Forces Highway to Close

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — Heavy rains in Lee’s Summit forced crews to close a portion of Highway 150 at 291 Friday morning after flash flooding blocked the highway and reportedly caught more than one motorist off guard.

The highway was shut-down there for about three hours. The Missouri Department of Transportation brought in a back-hoe to clear the drain and some workers even went in with shovels to remove the twigs and debris.

“We have four weeks of dry weather,” said Sgt. Mike Childs of the Lee’s Summit Police Department. “Everything builds up in the pipes, you know. No fault of anyone. Twigs, leaves, tree limbs whatever it may be. And then that amount of water pushes it into a dam effect.”

Related: Highway Flooding Pictures

Several cars drove through the water and reportedly had issues and stalled. Police urge people to use caution and remember their warnings about the dangers of flash floods, and do not attempt to drive through high waters.

The National Weather Service had issued a flash flood warning for parts of Johnson County, Kan., Cass County, Mo., and Jackson County, Mo.