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.

The Kansas City metro remains under a flash flood warning through 1 p.m. Thursday following overnight thunderstorms that brought a record-breaking downpour.

The Fire Department said it has responded to at least 23 water rescues Thursday morning due to a high volume of rain from overnight storms.