The National Weather Service says initial reports indicate as many as four tornadoes either touched down or caused damage, so the Wichita office will have a damage survey team studying the damage starting around 8 am.
8 pm Wednesday-1 am Thursday: Severe storm potential remains through early morning Thursday; Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until 6 am
Severe storms brought a swath of hazards to the local listening area including several confirmations of tornadic activity Wednesday evening.
The first confirmation came from Chase County Law Enforcement just before 8:30 pm east northeast of Elmdale. The tornado would also be spotted seven miles southwest of Americus and nine miles northeast of Strong City just before 9 pm followed by a confirmation 10 miles northwest of Emporia near Americus just after 9 pm.
The tornadic activity downed several power lines across the county and damaged various barns, outbuildings, homes and the Cottonwood Falls baseball fields. The tornadic activity was confirmed to have contributed to at least one injury accident and may have played a role in a second. The first accident was reported at 8:30 pm at mile marker 320 on US Highway 50 a mile southwest of Elmdale after a semi overturned on the highway.
Chase County Emergency Communications says the Kansas Highway Patrol reported the accident was caused by the tornadic activity and resulted in non-life-threatening injuries for the driver, an unnamed male. The individual was taken to Newman Regional Health for possible treatment.
The second accident was reported east of Strong City, however, an exact time and location are pending. The driver suffered minor injuries and required no medical transport.
Chase County Sheriff Jacob Welsh says it is likely tornadic activity played a role in the accident, however, it has not been confirmed.
More than 920 Evergy customers were left without power for a time. Evergy had that number cut down to just over 215 by 12:15 am.
According to Evergy, the storms downed between 7 to 8 poles along the US Highway 50 corridor from Strong City to Elmdale. Evergy has called in additional crews from Manhattan and Topeka to assist in the restoration efforts.
No other injuries were reported as a result of the activity. KVOE listeners reported hail ranging from a quarter of an inch to the size of tennis balls throughout the evening.
Wind gusts of 85 mph were also reported a mile southeast of Elmdale just before 9:40 pm.
Severe storm activity has continued into the overnight and early morning hours Thursday.
Active warnings and watches:
*Severe thunderstorm watch: Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Morris, Greenwood, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until 6 am.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as the weather situation continues to unfold.
11:03 pm Wednesday: WEATHER: Large hail, high winds, power outages and more reported with severe storm activity across portions of listening area Wednesday night
Thunderstorms have triggered several severe weather warnings and brought a range of activity to parts of the KVOE listening area Wednesday.
Chase County Law Enforcement confirmed a tornado East-Northeast of Elmdale just before 8:30 pm. Tennis ball-sized hail has also been reported three miles west of Cottonwood Falls. The tornado was located seven miles southwest of Americus and nine miles northeast of Strong City just before 9 pm moving to the northeast at 30 mph.
Confirmed tornadic activity was also noted 10 miles northwest of Emporia moving to the northeast at 30 mph just after 9 pm. Significant damage was not reported, however, according to the Chase County Sheriff’s Office the tornadic activity did contribute to an overturned semi near one mile southwest of Elmdale.
One person, an unnamed male believed to be the driver of the semi, suffered apparently non-life-threatening injuries. Word on whether or not the individual was transported to the hospital is currently pending.
The Chase County Sheriff’s Office also reported downed power lines at mile marker 326 on US Highway 50 with several reports of unsecured objects, specifically traffic cones, being blown around on the highway.
A wind gust of 85 mph was reported a mile southeast of Elmdale just before 9:40 pm.
More than 920 Evergy customers have been knocked offline along a Cottonwood Falls to Elmdale to Clements line.
Active watches
*Severe thunderstorm watch: Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until 6 am.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates all night as needed.
3:45 pm Wednesday: Tornado watch up for Wabaunsee County until 11 pm; severe weather risk still ahead areawide
Area counties face a severe weather risk for the evening hours Wednesday and the early-morning hours Thursday, although just one is currently under a watch.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch for Wabaunsee County until 11 pm. Besides a few tornadoes, hail up to apple size, wind gusts to 75 mph and heavy rain are all possible.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates. If we have severe weather Wednesday night and you have rainfall or storm reports, message the KVOE-Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
