Cleanup may take a while across parts of the US Highway 56 corridor after a major hailstorm Thursday morning.
The North Lyon County Youth Association’s community building in Allen got “hard, heavy hail for about 15 minutes,” according to spokesperson Kylie DeDonder. Children were OK at the childcare facility nearby, but the community center’s windows — some dating back to 1948 — were all shattered.
Also hit hard: Northern Heights High School. USD 251 North Lyon County Superintendent Bob Blair tells KVOE News there were broken windows scattered across the school campus, including the agriculture building and maintenance building. Roof inspections and related damage reports are pending.
Cleanup is underway at both buildings, and for the Youth Association this is both unplanned and ahead of schedule because a cleanup day was coming this weekend ahead of the group’s 25th annual fish fry fundraiser. The Youth Association has been planning for some window replacements if it is chosen for the Emporia Community Foundation’s annual Match Day.
Costs at both locations will be determined later once insurance companies can assess the damage.
Part of the US-56 corridor between Allen and Admire got quarter- to egg-sized hail. Besides window damage, vehicles across Allen and at Northern Heights had window and metal damage due to the hail.
Another round of severe storms is possible but unlikely Thursday evening, although a marginal risk area originally limited to areas along and north of US-56 has been expanded and now includes areas north of Interstate 35 and US-50. Hail and wind are concerns by mid-evening.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
10 am Thursday: Severe weather confirmed near Emporia on Thursday morning with more possible Thursday evening
Severe weather moved across parts of the KVOE listening area Thursday morning.
Storms have generated wind and hail:
*2 miles east of Admire: 1.25-inch hail
*Allen: 1-inch to 2-inch hail
*5 miles north-northwest of Olpe: 61 mph wind
Rain totals:
*KVOE studios: 0.10 inches
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
8:30 am Thursday: Wind gusts above 60 mph reported between Emporia and Olpe
Borderline severe weather moved across parts of the KVOE listening area Thursday morning.
Storms generated winds of 61 mph five miles north-northwest of Olpe shortly after 8 am. Damage reports are pending, as are rain totals from Thursday’s morning activity.
Storms are possible areawide through the morning hours and again Thursday evening. There is currently a marginal severe weather risk for wind and hail along and north of US Highway 56 for the evening round of storms.
A very high fire danger exists areawide Thursday and will likely continue through at least Friday.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
Marginal severe weather risk north of Emporia on Thursday evening, very high fire risk areawide all day
Parts of the KVOE listening area may have to contend with strong to borderline severe storms Thursday evening.
The National Weather Service says there is a marginal severe weather risk along and north of the US Highway 56 corridor, affecting portions of Lyon, Morris and Osage counties as well as all of Wabaunsee County. The main concerns for strong activity are from early to late evening and include wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail to the size of quarters.
The main weather concern areawide Thursday will be a very high fire danger. High temperatures in the mid-80s, dry grasses and wind speeds above 30 mph are building the fire danger. This also comes after two days of significant controlled burn activity across area counties, so landowners are urged to make sure those fires are out so they don’t rekindle.
KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media will have updates.
