Five tornadoes hit Kansas during severe storms
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The National Weather Service is checking damage after tornadoes were reported overnight and early Tuesday morning. The NWS has confirmed at least five tornadoes so far.
6:07 a.m.
Damage done by tornado in Osage and Shawnee counties on April 16, 2024. (Courtesy National Weather Service Topeka) Damage done by tornado in Osage and Shawnee counties on April 16, 2024. (Courtesy National Weather Service Topeka) Damage done by tornado in Osage and Shawnee counties on April 16, 2024. (Courtesy National Weather Service Topeka)
The NWS Topeka office says an EF-1 tornado touched down four miles west-southwest of Overbrook, in Osage County, at 6:07 a.m. It moved north-northeast for approximately 10 miles, hitting the town of Richland in far southeast Shawnee County.
The tornado had winds up to 100 mph. Two people were injured when the RV they were in was flipped over.
It was on the ground for 9.8 miles and had a maximum width of 75 yards. It was over by 6:27 a.m.
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5:51 a.m.
About 15 minutes before that tornado, an EF-1 tornado hit central Osage County, shifting a home on its foundation. No one was hurt.
Approx. 4:30 a.m.
(KSN Storm Track 3 Weather Graphic)
According to the NWS, two tornadoes touched down in Greenwood County. The first tornado touched down southeast of Eureka. It was rated an EF-1, and it was on the ground for 16 minutes. The second tornado occurred south of Virgil. It was rated an EF-2 and was on the ground for 8 minutes.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office says the storm damaged some trees and fences.
Don and Linda Scott of Eureka had damage to some buildings and trees on their property. The storm left one of two carports completely ruined and another one with damage to the roof. They also had a storage barn that was hit by the storm. The house was practically untouched.
“Well, our weather radio went off after 4 a.m. They said maybe 4:20 or something, so we were up and around, and we heard this stuff hitting the side of the house,” Don said.
Greenwood County Emergency Management said power flashes were witnessed southeast of town around 4:30 a.m.
1:53 a.m.
Earlier on Tuesday, just before 2 a.m., a tornado hit Smith County. The NWS out of Hastings, Nebraska, says the tornado touched down around 1:53 a.m. and moved across rural areas of the county north of Athol. There is some tree damage, and a small mobile building was overturned.
The NWS says winds reached 65 mph. The survey team rated it as EF-0. The tornado was on the ground for 6.9 miles and had a maximum width of 35 yards.
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