Northeast Kansas saw hail, high winds and flash flooding — but no tornadoes — during the late afternoon and early evening April 28. Severe storms moved through that part of the state at a time when most of it was under a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service. The warning was in effect from 5 p.m. to midnight. No tornadoes touched down. No apparent storm-related injuries were reported.
High winds damaged buildings. Hail was reported in eight counties
Winds damaged one outbuilding at 4:46 p.m., three miles north of St. Marys in Pottawatomie County, and another at 5 p.m. one mile east/southeast of Mayetta in Jackson County, the
weather service's Topeka office said on its website . Hail 2.75 inches in diameter was reported to have fallen at 3:45 p.m. at Abilene in Dickinson County, the weather service said. Hail was also reported in Saline, Riley, Geary, Clay, Marshall, Pottawatomie and Atchison counties, it said. Flash flooding was reported in Riley and Pottawatomie counties.
Storms cause power outages
The storms caused outages that temporarily cut power late April 28 to 770 homes and businesses in the area of Mayetta in Jackson County, the electrical utility Evergy said on an
online power outage map it maintains. At 6:25 a.m. April 29, Evergy reported 1,150 homes and businesses it serves were without power in the Greater Kansas City Area. That total had been reduced by one hour later to 20 homes and businesses.
Weather service warns of potential for flooding
The weather service cautioned on the website of its Topeka office that flooding would be possible April 29 and 30 in parts of east-central Kansas along and southeast of a line from Emporia to Topeka. "Street flooding, flooding of low-lying areas and rises on small streams and creeks are possible," it said. "Flash flooding and river flooding may also develop." Topeka received 0.5 inches of rainfall late April 28 and early 29, the weather service said. While no severe weather was predicted, the weather service forecast for the Topeka area called for a 90% chance of rain April 30; a 60% chance of rain during the evening April 30; and a 40% chance of rain May 1.
Contact Tim Hrenchir at or 785-213-5934.
