By KWCH Staff
Published: Apr. 27, 2024 at 12:23 PM CDT|Updated: 18 hours ago
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - A Storm Team 12 Weather Alert Day brought severe storms that most heavily impacted areas east and southeast of the Wichita area with heavy rain and tornado threats. You can follow updates on how storms fired up and progressed below.
Update 10:00 p.m.: Through the evening, the highest threat of severe weather will remain southeast of the Kansas Turnpike. Additional isolated severe storms will be possible over portions of northwest and north central Kansas. The threat of severe weather is diminished but more storms will be possible overnight.
Update 8:45 p.m.: Tornado threats are dissipating throughout the state, with the Chautauqua County tornado warning expiring at 9 p.m.
Severe thunderstorms continue to rage, threatening hail and wind damage in southeastern KS. A tornado watch is in effect for this area.
Flood watches remain in effect for central, south-central, and southeast portions of the state.
Update 7:45 p.m.: Tornado warning issued for southeastern Cowley County until 8:00 p.m. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Dexter, or 10 miles west of Cedar Vale, moving northeast at 45 mph. Tornado and half-dollar size hail possible.
Severe thunderstorms are occurring in several areas of rural KS: Chautauqua County, Grant County, Graham County, Sheridan County, Decatur County, Elk County and Norton County. Hail and high winds are to be expected in these areas.
Update 6:00 p.m.: A tornado warning was issued for Scott County until 6:30 p.m.
A confirmed tornado was located near Sedan, KS in Chautauqua County, moving NE at 30 mph.
At 5:51 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Modoc, KS in Scott County, moving east at 15 mph.
Storm Team 12 meteorologists say flooding is possible in Cowley County, Butler County near Douglas, KS and Elk County near Howard, KS. Use caution on county roads and avoid them if possible.
Update 5:30 p.m.: Tornado warnings issued for Chautauqua County, Cowley County, Logan County and Gove County.
At 5:28 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 7 miles southwest of Cedar Vale, moving northeast at 25 mph.
At 5:39 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 7 miles north of Scott State Lake, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Update 5:15 p.m.: A Storm Team 12 crew and the Mobile Weather Lab made their way through Howard. While there’s torrential rainfall, there are no immediate indications of extensive damage from a tornado that touched down near town.
A new tornado warning was issued for portions of Elk County. This comes with a possible tornado reported near Longton, about eight miles southeast of Howard.
In Sedgwick, Harvey, McPherson, Saline and Chase counties, the tornado watch has been allowed to drop with the severe weather primarily continuing to shift south and east.
Update 5 p.m.: There are reports of a confirmed tornado about six miles northeast of Howard, relayed at about 4:50 p.m. A new tornado warning is issued for southeastern Greenwood County until at least 5:45 p.m. with reports of a tornado near Fall River, about 10 miles northeast of Howard. This storm is moving northeast at about 30 mph.
Update: 4:50 p.m.: There’s an all-clear given for Howard in Elk County with a tornado-producing storm but the threat remains for areas northeast of town.
The Storm Team 12 Mobile Weather Lab is headed north into that area to assess whether this storm caused any significant damage in or near Howard.
Update: 4:35 p.m.: There are reports of a tornado spotted between Howard and Moline with a storm that continues to impact portions of Elk County.
There are two tornado warnings, one for Elk County and a new one for portions of Cowley and Chautauqua counties.
severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Moline, or near Howard, moving northeast at 40 mph. HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This dangerous storm will be near... Howard around 435 PM CDT.
Update 4:20 p.m.: A severe storm capable of producing a tornado was spotted about 13 miles north of Cedar Vale. The storm featuring radar-indicated rotation previously produced a tornado south of Dexter in Cowley County. This threat, featuring three tornado warnings, continues to impact portions of Cowley, Chautauqua and Elk counties.
Update: 4 p.m.: A tornado-producing storm is moving northeast and showing rotation with a tornado warning continuing for portions of eastern Cowley County as well as portions of Chautauqua and Elk counties. There hasn’t been another confirmed tornado following the one that was spotted near Dexter at about 3:30 p.m.
Update 3:45 p.m.: The National Weather Service reported a tornado spotted in the Dexter area in southeast Cowley County. The storm impacting the area brings heavy precipitation and is trekking northeast at about 30 mph. The tornado warning for Cowley and Elk counties continues until at least 4 p.m.
There is a report of rain falling at a rate of about an inch and a half to two inches in an hour.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for a portion of Kansas until 7 p.m. Saturday.
It includes Wichita, stretching from the Nebraska border to the Oklahoma border. The western edge includes Great Bend and Pratt.
Storm Team 12 has issued a Weather Alert Day because storms with the potential to produce strong winds, hail and tornadoes are expected.
If you have any storm shots you’d like to share, please send them to 12 News.
In the event of severe weather, it’s important to have a plan and a place to seek shelter.
- Always make a plan before you leave the house. Do some research on where the nearest shelter is.
- Try to get into a sturdy structure if you’re outside. Avoid buildings with large windows.
- Do not stop under an overpass if you’re out driving. Stopping can create a roadblock and could cause a crash.
- If there’s severe weather when driving, the best thing to do is to get off the highway and find a safe place to park until the storm passes.
Sedgwick County Emergency Management emphasizes staying informed about weather conditions and making a plan for when storms occur. Visit their website here for more tips and information on severe weather.
— Wichita Police (@WichitaPolice) April 27, 2024Please be sure to have a safe place in mind if a warning is issued for your area:
1. If you’re at home, pick a place where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. One basic rule is to AVOID WINDOWS. An exploding window can injure or kill. pic.twitter.com/vjXgut8oUt
To get the latest alerts, live radar and local weather, download the Storm Team 12 app for Apple and Android devices.
Turn on notifications to review information where you are located.
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