Damage assessments are underway after several tornadoes touched down north and northeast of Emporia on Wednesday night.
The National Weather Service says it is sending out teams to Wabaunsee County on Thursday morning after up to six tornadoes touched down, including a well-documented twister near Alta Vista. Weather Service teams will also go to the Rossville area after at least one tornado touchdown.
If you have rain totals or storm reports, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, email kvoe@kvoe.com or message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
5:45 am Thursday
Strong storms bracketed the immediate Emporia area Wednesday night and early Thursday.
Storms initially fired in Morris County early Wednesday evening, congealing into a large cluster of storms that dropped at least one tornado near Alta Vista, one at least six tornadoes reported by the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office also reported hail up to the size of baseballs, as well as unspecified damage to structures in rural areas. No injuries were reported.
An overnight round developed as well, leading to 60 mph wind gusts south-southwest of Burlington and 59 mph winds at Eureka Municipal Airport.
Rain totals are currently light:
*KVOE studios: 0.05 inches
*Emporia Municipal Airport: 0.01 inches
*1100 block Constitution: 0.01 inches
*Between Hartford and Olpe: 0.25 inches
*4 miles north of Madison: 0.30 inches and pea-sized hail
Thursday should be cloudy but dry with a high of 69. The current forecast calls for dry conditions into the middle of next week.
If you have rain totals, call KVOE at 620-342-1400, email kvoe@kvoe.com or message the Bluestem Farm and Ranch text line at 620-342-5863.
5:50 pm Wednesday: Tornado watch up for Lyon, most surrounding counties until 1 am Thursday
Lyon and most surrounding counties are now in a tornado watch into early Thursday.
The watch impacts Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until 1 am. Tornadoes are possible as storms are expected to develop rapidly through at least mid-evening. Hail up to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts up to 70 mph are also possible.
