Severe weather season started slowly in North Central Kansas this year, but it made it’s first significant appearance with a vengeance on Tuesday. Torrential rains, damaging hail and several tornadoes touched down in the late afternoon and evening hours throughout our listening area.
Tornado warnings were issued in areas of northern and southern Mitchell County as well as in Jewell County. Tornadoes were also reported in Cloud County near Glasco as well as another between Aurora and Clyde. A tornado touched down in Ottawa County as well. Later in the evening, a tornado warning was also issued in Smith County near Lebanon.
Heavy rain, with estimates of 3-5 inches, prompted flash flood warnings for Osborne and Mitchell Counties.
Rainfall totals reported in our local area included nearly three inches in Simpson, and four inches between Beloit and Simpson along with golf ball sized hail.
As of late Tuesday evening there were no reports of injuries, but there were multiple reports of property damage as well as power poles and power lines down across some roadways. Authorities will continue to assess damage on Wednesday.
The storms caused a semi to jackknife on I-70 in northern Ellsworth County, south of Lincoln, and blocked traffic for a time.
5.5 inches of rain were reported 12 miles south of Glen Elder. Tennis ball sized hail was reported 12 miles south of Beloit. 2.75 inches of rain were recorded southwest of Tipton, and more tennis ball sized hail was reported 8 miles north of Lucas.
Another round of severe weather is expected this afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms are expected to develop along the same front that they did yesterday, which will be further to the southeast than yesterday. Large hail, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and some flooding is possible during the afternoon and evening.