Storm drains along Interstate 435, a beltway that encircles most of the Kansas City metropolitan area, were unable to keep up during the deluge, he said, causing the highway to flood. Most of the rescues from vehicles took place at the highway’s 23rd St. exit, he said.

Flash flood warnings were issued for multiple areas of the metro, including Independence, Raytown, and Blue Springs.

Flash flooding closed roads and led to rescues in Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri on Thursday morning. By 6:40 a.m., the metro area had already picked up more than 2 inches of rain. The storms will continue to move out of the area through Thursday morning.