LIVE BLOG: Severe weather brings threat of high winds, hail across ...

20 May 2024

KWCH

LIVE BLOG Severe weather brings threat of high winds hail across

A Storm Team 12 Weather Alert Day brings the threat of severe storms across Kansas on Sunday

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - A Storm Team 12 Weather Alert Day brings the threat of severe storms across Kansas on Sunday. You can follow updates and check out photos of how storms fired up and progressed below.

Update 9:00 p.m. - The threat of severe weather is winding down across the state, but the cleanup is just beginning in most areas.

Power lines and fallen trees are causing roadblocks and power outages throughout the Wichita metro area, including outages in Newton, Haven, Salina, Hutchinson, and Russell.

Emergency crews in Wichita are responding to multiple fires due to downed power lines.

Greenwood County is currently the only area with a severe thunderstorm warning. Severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Emporia to near Hamilton to 11 miles southwest of Eureka, moving east at 65 mph.

Update 8:00 p.m. - 75 MPH winds reported in east Wichita near Andover.

Reports of power lines down in northwest Wichita.64 MPH winds were reported from Jabara Airport.

Damage reports are coming in from Newton, stating that fallen trees are blocking roads and several power lines are down.

A flash flood warning is in effect for northeastern Barton County, Ellsworth County, northern McPherson County, southeastern Russell County and southern Saline County until 11:30 p.m. Between two and three inches of rain have fallen, and additional rainfall of one to two inches is possible in the warned areas.

Update 7:45 p.m - Tornado warning is in effect for Harvey County until 8:30 p.m. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Halstead, moving northeast at 70 mph. This dangerous storm will be near Newton and Halstead around 7:50 p.m.

86 MPH winds were reported at the Hutchinson Regional Airport. Emergency management in Hutchinson is reporting that power lines are down in the city.

There are reports of wind damage in Haven, including roofs being blown off.

The majority of Russell is without power after severe storms brought 82 MPH winds and tennis ball-sized hail. The City of Russell is still collecting damage reports.

Update 7:00 p.m. - Hail reports from Abieline show quarter to ping-pong-sized hail. 50-60 MPH winds reported in the McPherson area.

Update 6:00 p.m. - 100 MPH winds reported at the Salina Regional Airport. Heavy rainfall has flooded Highway 14, north of Ellsworth. Severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect for a large portion of central and south-central Kansas. These storms have the potential to produce damaging winds and hail.

Update 5:00 p.m. - A tornado warning is still in effect for northern Ellsworth County until 5:15 p.m.

Damage reports from the City of Russell indicate damaged property, downed trees, broken power poles and downed power lines. The City says a large portion of Russell and rural customers remain without power as electric crews assess the damage and make repairs. Emergency crews are also working to clear roadways.

Update 4:30 p.m. - A tornado warning is in effect for Ellsworth County.At 4:17 p.m., a confirmed tornado was located southeast of Wilson, moving east at 35 mph. Ellsworth and Kannapolis are included in this warning.

70 MPH winds were reported from the Sylvan Grove area.

Storm chasers are reporting damage in Russell due to high winds and tennis ball-sized hail.

Update 3:30 p.m. - A tornado warning is in effect for Russell County. A confirmed tornado was located along I-70 near Gorham/Walker, moving east at 30 mph. This storm brings the threat of tennis ball size hail. Nearby locations at risk for damaging weather include Wilson Lake, Bunker Hill, Russell Airport, and Wilson State Park.

This storm is producing 82 miles-per-hour winds and hail with a 2-and-a-half-inch diameter.

Timelapse of I-70 at Wilson exit as storms roll in

Update 2:40 p.m. - A tornado warning has been issued for Hays.A storm chaser reported a brief tornado on the ground about seven miles west of Hays. The tornado lasted about two minutes and lifted.

Update 2:30 p.m. - A tornado warning is in effect in northwestern Ellis County in central Kansas until 2:45 p.m. The warning began at 2:19 p.m. when a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Ellis, moving northeast at 40 mph. This storm produced two-inch hail.