Local officials Wednesday breathed a cautions sigh of relief, noting the area dodged a lot of bullets in the Tuesday night storm that raked much of western Kansas.
The brunt of the storm spawned tornadoes that caused severe damage and injuries in Ford County. However, closer to home, only minor flooding, small hail and wind damage were reported.
The reported tornadoes were confined to northeast Pawnee County, northwest Barton County and into southern Rush County, with confirmed tornado damage at Otis.
The National Weather Service reported power lines down and roofs damaged at first and main in Hoisington. Several buildings and homes were damaged. In Great Bend, there were also downed limbs and structure damage, including the near destruction of a building belonging to R&R Roofing on South Main Street.
Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir reported some flooding in low-lying areas as well as on road closed for a short time due to a fallen tree.
There was also wind and hail damage in Ellsworth, Ness and Rush counties.
But, for those in the thick of it, the storm was anything but a lightweight.
Many motorists struggled to navigate 10th Street in Great Bend due to rising water. In fact, some streets were closed for a short time.
Rickey Calvert, Great Bend, said his family spent Tuesday night at a local motel after a huge piece of a tree fell on a power line and ripped the service feed away from their house.
“The weight of the object shattered the rear window out of one vehicle, and broke the front window on another,” Calvert said. “Got the object removed (Wednesday) morning and power back in as well thanks to local businesses who responded quickly. Now we are just cleaning glass, lots of glass.”
Meanwhile, looking westward, initial damage reports from county emergency managers are beginning to come in to the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka as a result from an ongoing severe storm system that is affecting much of the state.
Areas in Southwest, Northwest, and South Central Kansas sustained various levels of damages including downed trees, downed power poles and lines, and damage to outbuildings and rural homes. Storm damages occurred as a result of large hail, wind, and tornadoes.
County emergency management officials in Ford County reported two persons were critically injured and taken to Western Plains Medical Center in Dodge City.
Other damages reported by the Kansas Highway Patrol includes emergency vehicles damaged due to baseball sized hail, a semi-trailer blown over at US-50 bypass with no injuries, and roadway damage on a bridge over US-56 where tornado ripped up asphalt.
The American Red Cross serving central and western Kansas is working help people in Ford and Hodgeman counties.
“Our first priority is making sure people affected by these storms have a safe place to go,” said Nicole Bartman, executive director. “Red Cross disaster teams are helping now and we will continue to be there to support people as they get back on their feet and recover.”
Red Cross workers are providing relief supplies to people impacted and first responders. Red Cross disaster assessment teams were out Wednesday determining the extent of the damage.
Those who would like to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes and countless other crises can make a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The weather service notes there is a continued chance of thunderstorms, some possibly severe, and tornadoes through today and into Friday.
