Tornado touches down in Weskan, damages school
THURSDAY 7:20 PM UPDATE:
A tornado has caused damage in Weskan, Ks.
Wallace County Sheriff's Department confirms tornado damage has occurred, including damage to a school. No injuries have been reported.
The roof of the school was heavily damaged along with the bleachers at the football field that were just completed a couple of weeks ago. School got out about a half hour before the tornado hit, but, teacher Jo Ann Mote and Principal Jeffrey Montero were still there, along with the track team.
They all ran to the school's shelters when they got alerts on their phones.
Weskan Superintendent Amy Rother released the following statement:
"Weskan Schools was hit by a tornado this evening. Luckily, no one was hurt. School was finished for the day. However, some staff and the high school track team were still on campus. They all made it safely down to the locker rooms before the tornado hit. We thank God that no students or staff were injured. Damage to the school includes roof damage, window damage, and suburban and bus window damage. Perhaps the most disheartening to the community is the damage to the new bleachers that we just put up last week. The community has been fundraising and finally earned enough money to buy used bleachers from Riverside School district in Wathena, KS. We had teachers and community members go disassemble the bleachers, bring them back to Weskan, and reassemble them. The used bleachers were a dream come true for our small school, as we knew we'd never be able to afford new bleachers. The whole community has been a part of this bleachers project. The home side bleachers that we just finished reassembling last week are completely destroyed. Although we have lost our bleachers, we have not lost any members of our community--thus, we count that as a win for Weskan Schools."
Click here for the latest updates.
THURSDAY 6 PM UPDATE:
A tornado has caused damage in Weskan, Ks.
Wallace County Sheriff's Department confirms tornado damage has occurred, including damage to a school.
A tornado warning is in effect in Logan and Thomas counties.
Click here for the latest updates.
THURSDAY 5 PM UPDATE:
A tornado touched down in Mcdonald, Kansas around 3:00 p.m.
A tornado warning is in effect in Cheyenne and Wallace counties.
Click here for the latest updates.
THURSDAY, 3:30 PM:
Two tornado warnings for Rawlins and Thomas counties as of 3:30 and Gove until 3:45 Central Time
THURSDAY 1 PM UPDATE:
A Tornado Watch has been issued for most of western Kansas, and a new watch will likely be issued eastward toward Wichita later today.
Widespread storms in KAKEland on Thursday could turn severe with large hail, high wind and tornadoes.
Storms are expected to develop during the mid to late morning hours across Southwest Kansas. Some of these storms could reach "low end severe" strength, 1" hail and wind gusts to 60mph. As storms track northeast through the morning and into the early afternoon, they will encounter an environment favorable for severe storms. Storms are expected to increase in intensity and coverage through the early afternoon.
Through the afternoon, storms could produce large hail, possibly larger than eggs (2.0"), wind gusts in excess of 70mph and even a few tornadoes.
Storms will likely approach the I-135 corridor and Wichita, between 6-8PM. Storms could still be severe at this time, though a generally weakening trend is anticipated as they track toward Northeast Kansas.
As the storms spin east, an additional line of storms will be possible in Northwest and North Central Kansas. This secondary line could still be severe, though it will likely weaken after the midnight hour.
In additional to the hail, wind and tornadoes, flooding will remain a concern, especially across Northwest Kansas. Some spots Wednesday into Thursday picking up 2"+ and that has lead to some flood warnings.
We’ll keep you up to date with our Interactive Radar and LIVE weather coverage. Get those features and more on the free First Alert Weather App. With the app you can track storms in your area, stream the latest forecast videos and live severe weather coverage, and set customized alerts to keep you and your family informed and safe.
In the event of severe weather, click here to follow KAKE First Alert Storm Trackers in the field.
WEDNESDAY AM UPDATE:
The active weather pattern will continue across KAKEland for Wednesday and Thursday. Storms both days could turn severe with large hail stones and high wind gusts being the most likely threats.
While spotty showers and storms will be possible state-wide on Wednesday, the greatest threat of severe weather will be positioned along the Kansas-Colorado state line. Storms across far Western Kansas will likely fire up after 5pm. The greatest threats with these storms will be large hail stones, possibly topping ping pong ball size (1.5") and wind gusts that could exceed 70mph! While we are not expecting many tornadoes, we can't rule one out, especially across Northwest Kansas.
Storms across Western Kansas will likely diminish and coverage as we head toward the midnight hour.
Thursday morning may start off with showers and storms but the early morning activity is not expected to be strong or severe. Our eyes will be on Western Kansas where storms may initiate during the mid to late morning hours. Storms are expected to form into a North-South line across Western Kansas and gradually track east through the day. Storms will likely make it to the I-135 corridor late Thursday, though the line may be broken.
Storms on Thursday could once again produce large hail stones over ping pong ball size and wind gusts that might exceed 70mph. A stray tornado or two can't be ruled out with the strongest cells that remain isolated from the line.
Storms are likely to continue well into the overnight, if not the early morning hours of Friday. It is important to make sure you have a way of receiving alerts and warning, should they be necessary.
More wet weather will be possible Friday through Monday, but at this time, it appears most of it will be fairly tame.
We’ll keep you up to date with our Interactive Radar and LIVE weather coverage. Get those features and more on the free First Alert Weather App. With the app you can track storms in your area, stream the latest forecast videos and live severe weather coverage, and set customized alerts to keep you and your family informed and safe.
In the event of severe weather, click here to follow KAKE First Alert Storm Trackers in the field.
