Tornado Warning in Central Kansas

Tornadoes were verified in Ellsworth and Saline counties on Tuesday night as severe thunderstorms hit north central Kansas. There were no early reports of damage.

Spotters confirmed a tornado near Kanopolis Lake, and two were reported north of Smolan and southwest of Salina. Tornado warnings were issued in Dickinson and Ottawa counties as the storms proceeded northeast.

As of 10:20 p.m., during the height of the severe storm activity, a tornado warning remained in effect for Ellsworth and Saline counties, with reports of confirmed tornadoes near Salina, one possibly touching down in the city, and at least a couple more near Solomon to the southwest of town and New Cambria to the northeast.

Another tornado was spotted at Kanopolis Lake, eight miles southwest of Brookville and twelve miles northwest of Lindsborg. This storm was allegedly moving northeast at 45 mph. Late Tuesday night, the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office said that deputies were examining locations where the storm had impacted, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.

Tornado warnings had been issued earlier in the night in parts of Barton, Rice, and McPherson counties, as well as southeastern Ottawa County.

There were reports of quarter-sized hail in Rice County. Storms in southeast Kansas passed across Cowley, Butler, Chautauqua, and Greenwood counties, producing quarter-sized hail according to radar.

With the major threat from Tuesday night's storm receding in the Salina region, Saline County Emergency Management Public Information Officer provided the following advice.

“Right now, we just want to remind people that severe weather season is ramping up. This will definitely not be the last tornado warning Saline County experiences, and it is important to know the best place to seek shelter in your home and understand where to seek shelter if you’re away from home. It is also really important to have an emergency kit in your home and your car.”

A tornado watch was in place from extreme southern Kansas to Oklahoma and Texas. A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for north central and northeast Kansas, as well as southeastern Nebraska, until the early morning of Wednesday.