The National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes touched down in parts of the KVOE listening area Friday night, including one that likely caused considerable damage to parts of Melvern Lake.
The Melvern Lake Marina is reporting extensive and widespread damage from the third tornado. Staff say three docks tore loose from their moorings and crashed into a dock, damaging it. Part of the marina’s covered storage building is listed as missing and some of the dry storage fencing had items blown into it. Many of the boats docked at the marina — which was nearly full at the time of the storms — were also damaged.
Staffers say the marina, which is near the east point of Melvern Lake, southwest of the US Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and about four miles west of Melvern, may need repairs for weeks. The marina will be closed at least through the weekend following July 4.
There was other damage on the east side of the lake. The US Army Corps of Engineers says there is extensive tree damage to the Couer d’Alene beach and picnic area, so that area is closed until further notice.
The National Weather Service says the first tornado touched down along One Hundred and Fortytwo Mile Creek between Admire and Reading. It traveled southeastward along the creek for almost 2.4 miles, and was maybe 30 yards wide at its peak. It was given an EF-U rating because the tornado stayed in open country and caused no damage. This was the tornado reported separately at four miles southeast of Admire and four miles north-northwest of Reading.
The second tornado touched down about five miles northeast Reading and traveled to five miles south-southwest of Osage City, tracking for about 1.25 miles before vanishing. It had a maximum path with of 30 yards and caused some minor tree damage, earning an EF-0 rating with estimated winds as high as 70 mph.
The last tornado hit Melvern Lake’s southern shore, damaging or destroying trees, causing the aforementioned damage at the marina and rolling over one RV. It was also 30 yards wide at its peak and was on the ground for just over a third of a mile. It also received EF-0 status with wind gusts as high as 85 mph.
All three tornadoes came from the same parent supercell thunderstorm that rapidly developed about 10-15 miles due north of Emporia. The Weather Service says the Melvern Lake twister was likely embedded in an area of rear flank downdraft winds that may have been just as strong as the tornado itself. RFD winds form near the back side of a supercell’s rotating core and initially help to intensify a tornado’s rotation, especially early in its lifespan.
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1 pm Saturday: Melvern Lake Marina reports extensive damage, lengthy repair time after Friday night severe weather
Initially, there were no reports of damage from severe storm activity Friday night east of Emporia. That’s no longer the case.
The Melvern Lake Marina is reporting extensive and widespread damage. Staff say three docks tore loose from their moorings and crashed into a dock, damaging it. Part of the marina’s covered storage building is listed as missing and some of the dry storage fencing had items blown into it. Many of the boats docked at the marina — which was nearly full at the time of the storms — were also damaged.
Staffers say the marina, which is near the east point of Melvern Lake, southwest of the US Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and about four miles west of Melvern, may need repairs for weeks. The marina will be closed at least through the weekend following July 4.
The National Weather Service will send a damage survey team to that location. It is also studying whether to send a damage survey team to other parts of Lyon and Osage counties that had tornado touchdowns confirmed, at least one of which was between Admire and Reading and the other south of Osage City. Isolated tree damage has been noted as part of the activity near Osage City.
Rain totals:
*KVOE studios: Nothing measurable
*Emporia Municipal Airport: Nothing measurable
*Melvern: 2.77 inches
*1 mile east of Osage City: 2.10 inches
*7 miles south of Overbrook: 2.60 inches
If you have storm reports, photos, videos or rain totals, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
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6:45 am Saturday: Damage reports pending after Friday night tornadic activity in Lyon, Osage counties
Damage reports are pending after at least one confirmed tornado touchdown in northeast Lyon County on Friday evening.
A tornado was reported by trained Lyon County spotters about five miles west-northwest of Reading shortly after 8 pm. Trained spotters also reported a tornado four miles south-southeast of Admire, but it is not clear whether the two reports involve the same tornadic activity.
At least one tornado was on the ground eight miles south of Osage City.
A cluster of storms rapidly developed along the US Highway 56 travel corridor north of Emporia after 7 pm and gradually slid east, causing several tornado warnings and a number of severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of Lyon, Osage and Franklin counties. National Weather Service meteorologist Brandon Drake says there was a lot of fuel for the storms, with highs in the mid-90s and high humidity levels already in place. A weak cold front then set off isolated storm activity originating in north Lyon County.
Initially, the Weather Service mentioned plans for a damage survey. However, there are currently no damage reports to survey.
Storms also dropped heavy rainfall east of Emporia, triggering an urban and small stream flood advisory for Coffey and Osage counties that expired well before sunrise Saturday.
More storms are possible both weekend days. Chances of overall activity aren’t great either day, and the areawide marginal severe weather risk noted earlier in the week has been pushed south of the KVOE listening area for Saturday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If you have storm reports, photos, videos or rain totals, message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
*Click here for KVOE’s YouTube channel, including videos from KVOE listeners and staff.
10 pm-midnight June 28: Tornadoes confirmed near Reading, Osage City
Damage reports are pending after a confirmed tornado touchdown in northeast Lyon County on Friday evening.
A tornado was reported by trained Lyon County spotters about five miles west-northwest of Reading shortly after 8 pm. Trained spotters also reported a tornado four miles south-southeast of Admire, but it is not clear whether the two reports involve the same tornadic activity.
At least one tornado was on the ground eight miles south of Osage City. Details are pending with that report.
A cluster of storms rapidly developed along the US Highway 56 travel corridor north of Emporia after 7 pm and gradually slid east, causing several tornado warnings and a number of severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of Lyon, Osage and Franklin counties. Over 250 Evergy customers in Coffey and Osage counties lost power due to the storms.
Storms also dropped heavy rainfall east of Emporia, triggering an urban and small stream flood advisory for Coffey and Osage counties until 1:45 am Saturday.
More storms are possible both weekend days. Chances of overall activity aren’t great either day, but Saturday currently has a marginal severe weather risk for areas south of US-56 on Saturday.
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Photos by KVOE listeners and staff
