Kansas towns suffer extensive damage after ‘direct hit’ from powerful overnight tornadoes

PLEVNA, Kan. – Significant damage was reported in western and central Kansas early Monday morning after powerful storms produced tornadoes that damaged numerous homes and brought down trees and power lines amid a rare Tornado Emergency.

According to Reno County Emergency Management, emergency responders, public works and utility crews have been actively assessing the situation after a tornado touched down just before midnight and moved through several rural portions of the county.

Officials said the tornado then moved through the city of Plevna, Kansas, damaging several homes, trees and utility poles.

Residents have been urged to avoid areas impacted by the tornado to allow emergency crews time to conduct damage assessments.

“We are thankful the residents took shelter immediately when the Tornado Warnings were issued,” officials said. “While the damage is extensive, we are relieved that no injuries or fatalities have been reported.”

The National Weather Service office in Wichita, Kansas, had issued a Tornado Emergency for the city of Plevna, as well as for Sylvia and Abbyville, early Monday morning.

“The Tornado Warning for Reno County has been canceled. However, it sounds like Plevna took a direct hit with the tornado,” police in Hutchinson said. “First responders are currently in the area looking for injured and assessing damage. Please keep Plevna in your thoughts.”

In Stafford County, officials said that the storms took 911 lines down, and residents were advised that calls were being routed through Pawnee County.

Officials said they were working to restore 911 service as quickly as possible.

According to Midwest Energy, Inc., a tornado also caused significant damage to both the gas and electric systems in Grinnell, Kansas, knocking out power to hundreds of customers.

Photos shared from Grinnell showed the devastation left behind after Sunday’s tornado. Trees were stripped of leaves and bark, while homes had significant damage.

A video recorded on Sunday shows the tornado bearing down on the town. The tornado spins across the landscape, lofting clouds of dirt and debris into the air.

In Greensburg, Kansas, photos show train cars that were derailed during a Tornado Emergency that was in effect on Sunday night.

Numerous trees and power lines were also brought down in Kiowa County, and the sheriff’s office urged people to stay home and stay safe.

“It’s very dark out,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. “We don’t want anyone getting into an accident.”

The Kansas Department of Transportation said that it has reopened Interstate 70 between Colby and Hays after extreme weather moved through on Sunday evening and early Monday morning.

However, eastbound and westbound traffic was reduced to one lane between mile markers 82 and 87 near Grinnell.

Exit 85 is also closed at Grinnell due to tornado damage and downed power lines in town.