Severe weather wasn’t widespread, but there were a few severe weather reports after a line of storms crossed the KVOE listening area Friday afternoon.
Storms began developing around 2 pm, eventually leading to wind damage in Lebo, Olivet and Waverly. trees were damaged in Lebo and Waverly, thanks to estimated 7- mph winds, while there were some buildings damaged in Olivet. The damage occurred during a tornado warning in that general area, and the National Weather Service is considering a damage survey for south-central Osage County on Saturday.
Besides the wind, residents also got brief heavy rain. Lyon County Emergency Management Director says water levels rose quickly, and they fell quickly.
Unlike Coffey and Osage counties, there were no reports of severe wind and there were no reports of large hail anywhere in the KVOE listening area.
Storms brought a wide range of rainfall to area locations:
Rain totals
*KVOE studios: 0.45 inches
*Deerbrook Addition: 0.50 inches
*3.5 miles west of Emporia Golf Course: 0.60 inches
*1 mile north of Allen: 0.30 inches
*Americus: 0.80 inches
*Road 130 3 miles of Emporia: 1.10 inches
*Hartford: 1.15 inches
*2200 block Road M: 0.46 inches
*Neosho Rapids: 1.40 inches
*Olpe Blacksmith Shop: 1.75 iches
*2 miles north of Olpe: 1 inch
*Just south of Olpe: 2 inches
*Thorndale: 0.90 inches
Storm reports
*Lebo: 70 mph wind. Tree damage reported
*Olivet: Damage to outbuildings around the town
*Waverly: 70 mph wind. Tree damage reported
Most area school districts decided to either dismiss school early, cancel activities or both as the Storm Prediction Center upgraded the risk from enhanced, or level 3 out of 5, to moderate, or level 4, shortly before lunchtime.
Also, over 700 Evergy customers in a large swath of east-central and northeast Kansas lost power due to the storms. Customers were affected in an area bordered by Junction City to the west, Hamilton and Blue Mound to the south and Overland Park on the north side.
Now that this severe weather episode has ended, the forecast calms down. Sunshine predominates through Wednesday, with highs in the low 60s Saturday gradually climbing to the 80s by Tuesday. Storms don’t re-enter the forecast until Wednesday night.
If you have storm reports, storm photos or rain totals, message the KVOE Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply text line at 620-342-5863. If you have storm videos, direct message our Facebook page.
2-6 pm Friday
Almost all area counties are in a tornado watch Friday. There are also several severe thunderstorm alerts in effect.
Active alerts
*Tornado watch: Lyon, Coffey, Greenwood and Osage counties until 9 pm. Main hazards beside tornadoes are wind gusts to 85 mph and hail to 4 inches in diameter
Rain totals
*KVOE studios: 0.45 inches
*Deerbrook Addition: 0.50 inches
*3.5 miles west of Emporia Golf Course: 0.60 inches
*1 mile north of Allen: 0.30 inches
*Americus: 0.80 inches
*Road 130 3 miles of Emporia: 1.10 inches
*200 block Road 340: 0.02 inches
*Hartford: 1.15 inches
*2200 block Road M: 0.46 inches
*Neosho Rapids: 1.40 inches
*2 miles north of Olpe: 1 inch
*Just south of Olpe: 2 inches
*Thorndale: 0.90 inches
Storm reports
*Lebo: 70 mph wind. Tree damage reported
*Olivet: Damage to outbuildings around the town
*Waverly: 70 mph wind. Tree damage reported
**Over 700 Evergy customers offline in an area from Junction City to Hamilton to Blue Mound to Overland Park
1:30 pm Friday: As severe weather risk increases, area schools cancel activities
The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the severe weather risk for all area counties.
Listed as enhanced, or level 3 of 5, for much of the week, the SPC upgraded to a moderate risk, or level 4, with its midday outlook. All hazards are possible through early evening.
With the upgrade, several area school districts — including Emporia — have made schedule adjustments for Friday afternoon and evening:
*USD 253 has canceled all activities, competitions and practices
*USD 251 North Lyon County has rescheduled the NLC spring dance and lock-in to April 24
*USD 243 Lebo-Waverly is dismissing school at 2 pm. Lebo and Waverly grade school after-school programs are canceled
*USD 245 Southern Coffey County baseball and softball games canceled
*USD 284 Chase County has canceled all after-school activities
*USD 330 Mission Valley softball games postponed to May 14. After-school practices canceled
*USD 386 Madison-Virgil is dismissing school at 2:30 pm
*USD 389 Eureka school dismissed at 2 pm. Activities and practices canceled. FFA banquet postponed to 5:30 pm April 19
*USD 420 Osage City high school baseball and softball games postponed. After-school practices canceled
*USD 421 Lyndon school dismissed at 12:30 pm. After-school events and activities canceled
*USD 434 Santa Fe Trail school dismissed at 1 pm. After-school activities and practices canceled. Afternoon preschool session canceled
*USD 454 Burlingame school dismissed at 12:30 pm
*USD 456 Marais des Cygnes Valley school dismissed at 12:30 pm. Baseball and softball games postponed
5:30 am Friday: Storms likely, severe weather possible Friday
Showers and thunderstorms appear likely for a good portion of Friday, and severe weather is possible as well.
TV-13 meteorologist Doug Meyers says there are currently some disagreements in the forecast models on when storms will form west of Emporia — but storm development could happen any time between 1-3 pm.
This is an all-hazards day, although it appears damaging wind could be the most widespread concern.
Heavy rainfall is also possible in spots. Rain projections are anywhere from 0.30 inches to over 2 inches.
Meyers says there are a few features that could limit storm activity. Morning cloud cover could limit some of the energy in the atmosphere, and a trailing cold front could catch up to the storms and limit their intensity.
Storms should be out of our coverage area by late evening, and sharply cooler conditions are behind the front. Friday’s high will be in the mid-80s, while Saturday’s high will be in the low 60s.
Be sure to stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If you have not connected to KVOE’s social media platforms, find KVOE on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, all @kvoenews, and on X@kvoeam1400.
If you have storm reports, storm photos or rain totals, message the KVOE Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply text line at 620-342-5863. If you have storm videos, direct message our Facebook page.
