Residents across eastern Kansas and portions of southeast Nebraska are being urged to prepare for strong winds on Wednesday as multiple Wind Advisories remain in effect throughout the region.
The National Weather Service has issued advisories covering a large portion of northeast, east-central, and southeast Kansas, with southwest winds expected to reach sustained speeds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts ranging from 40 to 50 mph.
In northeast Kansas, including Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Riley, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Jefferson, Geary, Morris, Wabaunsee, and Shawnee counties, a Wind Advisory will be in effect from 7 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Forecasters expect southwest winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
Communities impacted include Marysville, Seneca, Hiawatha, Manhattan, Wamego, Junction City, Holton, Oskaloosa, Council Grove, Topeka, and surrounding areas.
Farther south and east, the National Weather Service has extended the advisory through 3 p.m. Wednesday for Douglas, Lyon, Osage, Franklin, Coffey, and Anderson counties. Those areas could experience southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts reaching 50 mph. Cities affected include Lawrence, Emporia, Ottawa, Garnett, Burlington, Osage City, and Lyndon.
In southeast Kansas, including Chase, Greenwood, Woodson, Allen, Elk, Wilson, and Neosho counties, southwest winds of 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are expected from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, portions of southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa are also under a Wind Advisory from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday. Counties affected include Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Richardson counties in Nebraska, along with Fremont and Page counties in Iowa. Wind gusts in those areas could reach 40 mph.
Forecasters warn that unsecured outdoor objects may be blown around, tree limbs could be damaged, and isolated power outages are possible. The strong winds may also create hazardous travel conditions, particularly for drivers of high-profile vehicles such as semis, campers, and buses.
Residents are encouraged to secure outdoor furniture, trash containers, and other loose items before the strongest winds arrive. Motorists should exercise extra caution, especially on north-south roadways where crosswinds may be strongest.
The strongest winds are expected during the morning and early afternoon hours before gradually diminishing later in the day Wednesday.
