A wave of violent storms that left a deadly trail across parts of the U.S. over the weekend has now carved its way through Kansas, spawning tornadoes and leveling structures.
The Context
The outbreak in Kansas follows a devastating storm system that tore through parts of the U.S. over the weekend, resulting in at least 25 fatalities, CNN reported.
Kentucky accounted for 18 of those deaths. In neighboring Missouri, Reuters reported multiple fatalities and damage to at least 5,000 properties.
What To Know
According to KWCH, several confirmed tornadoes were reported in the state’s western half on Sunday night. The towns of St. Francis, Scott City and Greensburg experienced near misses, but the community of Grinnell in Gove County was struck directly, the outlet reported.
The Interstate 70 was shut because of downed power lines from severe storms, the Kansas Department of Transportation said on Sunday.
As of 1:30 a.m., westbound lanes had reopened, but eastbound lanes remained closed for debris cleanup, the agency said.
Images and videos of what storm chasers described as a wedge tornado spread online as the system moved across the Sunflower State.
Numerous accounts posted images of devastated homes in Plevna, with one user describing the destruction as a result of a “wedge tornado that was as wide as the town itself.”
Power outages were also reported in the state, some 4,400 at the time of writing, according to PowerOutage.us, a service that tracks disruptions.
Forecasters previously said the storm threat would shift toward Kansas after a powerful storm system swept through parts of Missouri and Kentucky, leaving at least 25 dead in its wake across the two states.
What People Are Saying
Storm Chaser Aaron Jayjack wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday: “Search and rescue underway in Plevna, KS after getting hit by a tornado. Most homes look okay. Lots of trees down and power is out.”
Storm Chaser Chris Wicklund said on X: “Unbelievable sites. A very loud roar can be heard with the wedge tornado in Kansas. I’m shaking.”
Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci said on X: “Having chased this, watched it on radar, etc., I have zero doubt in my mind this was an EF5-strength tornado with winds over 200 mph. I have never heard a roar like this in my career; I was within a mile at peak strength. It shot lighting out of it. Praying for Plevna.”
What Happens Next
Severe weather was forecast to potentially continue on Monday, with meteorologists at AccuWeather highlighting a high-risk zone across parts of southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, northwestern Arkansas and western Missouri.
The post Kansas Tornadoes: Massive Wedge Videos Spread Online Amid Devastation appeared first on Newsweek.
