Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Massive tornado strikes northeastern Kansas, leaves trail of damage in its wake

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and staff writer
By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer




A massive tornado was confirmed Tuesday evening near Lawrence, Kansas, and it eventually tracked across the northeastern part of the state, prompting tornado emergencies in areas such as Kansas City, Kansas.
At least at dozen homes were damaged or destroyed in Linwood, Kansas, according to the Kansas City Star. About 12 people were injured in Douglas County, the Star reported.
Billy Brumley, a resident of Linwood, spoke to the Star in the aftermath of the tornado. He told the newspaper that he was lying under support beams in his basement, praying for his life when the tornado struck.
“I’m fortunate to be alive, we’ve lost a lot here today, but got our life,” Brumley said.
Lawrence Police said large trees, power lines and debris along roads made roads impassable in some areas. Major structural damage was not found within Lawrence city limits. 
kansas city storms may 28 2019
People watch from the Liberty Memorial as a severe storm that dropped several tornados earlier approaches downtown Kansas City, Mo. Tuesday, May 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

AccuWeather Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer was tracking the tornado and successfully launched a probe into the tornado to collect data.
Tornado sirens blared across state lines in Kansas City, Missouri, with city officials urging residents to take shelter. While the tornado weakened before reaching the northwestern part of the city, the city still had to deal with a flash flood threat. The city received 1.56 inches of rain Tuesday, making this the wettest month of May in city history. The total of 12.81 inches surpassed the previous record of 12.75 inches in 1995.
The Kansas City International Airport moved customers to a shelter due to a severe weather threat facing Kansas City, Kansas.
A significant amount of debris was tossed onto runways at the airport, and the airfield was forced to close Tuesday evening. It reopened shortly after midnight, local time, on Wednesday, according to the airport's Twitter. The airport's operations staff picked up items such as pots, foam, wall panels, and plant id tags. It's presumed the tornado debris traveled about 47 miles from Linwood to the airport. 

People from Iowa through Oklahoma were faced with severe weather into Tuesday night as a round of powerful thunderstorms inflicted another round of major damage over the central United States.
This follows the deadly tornado that hit Dayton, Ohio, on Monday night and the EF3 tornado that ripped through El Reno, Oklahoma, on Saturday night.
"The overall weather pattern that has been in place across the U.S. will continue through midweek, which will bring more rounds of severe weather to the Plains," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun said. 
severe weather tornado
Joe Armison looks over damage to his home after a tornado struck the outskirts of Eudora, Kan., Tuesday, May 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

"While large hail, damaging winds and flooding will be the main threats from these storms, the danger of tornadoes cannot be overstated," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Edwards.
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On Wednesday, the area at highest risk of more damaging storms and tornadoes will extend from northern Texas and eastern Oklahoma into central Missouri.
Damaging storms reached into the Northeast on Tuesday night as well, with reports of a confirmed tornado near Morgantown, Pennsylvania, about one hour northwest of Philadelphia.
One storm-related injury was reported in Claymont, Delaware, where a tree fell onto a tent during a concert.
Severe storms are expected to again track across the mid-Atlantic on Wednesday and could spin up some tornadoes across eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey.
Download the free AccuWeather app and enabling audible alerts on your cell phone to receive severe weather bulletins when they are issued for your area, or watch the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Scroll down to read real-time updates from the severe weather danger.
1:15 a.m. CDT Wednesday:
Over 1.5 inches of rain fell in Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday, pushing the current monthly total into record-breaking territory. This is now the wettest may on record in the city.
Although the threat for damaging winds, tornadoes and large hail has generally subsided early Wednesday morning, the threat for flash flooding will continue from northern Missouri and southeastern Iowa into western Illinois. 

12:15 a.m. CDT Wednesday:
After being closed due to storm debris being tossed onto runways, the Kansas City International Airport has reopened.
The debris was presumed to have come from the tornado damage in Linwood and Lawrence, Kansas. 

11:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
The massive tornado that hit Lawrence and Linwood, Kansas, late Tuesday afternoon virtually wiped out entire parts of these communities, leaving behind complete destruction of homes and buildings.

10:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
Dozens of homes have been destroyed near Lawrence, Kansas, after a massive tornado tore through the area late Tuesday afternoon.
A chopper pilot estimated the width of the tornado to be around one mile.

9:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
A tornado has been confirmed near Morgantown, Pennsylvania, after the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, received video showing the tornado on the ground.
A storm survey team will assess the strength of the tornado on Wednesday.

9:15 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
A severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, until 10:45 p.m. EDT Tuesday.

9:00 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
The airfield at the Kansas City International Airport remains closed due to storm debris that was launched onto the airfield from nearby storms that produced the massive tornado in Lawrence, Kansas, earlier on Tuesday.

8:15 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
Major structural damage in Lawrence, Kansas following a large tornado that hit the area. 
8:11 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
Those in Excelsior Estates, a tornado is expected to arrive in about 10 minutes, according to NWS Kansas City.
Excelsior Springs Hospital is very close to, if not in, the path of this tornado. If you live on the north side of Excelsior Springs, take shelter now!

8:00 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
There is a tornado warning in effect near New York City, New York including Staten Island, Newark, and Elizabeth, New Jersey until 9:30 p.m. EDT. 

7:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
There are damage reports of trees and highway signs down in Maywood, Kansas.
A house is reportedly "totaled" in Bradford County in Rome, Pennsylvania.
Storm-related injury reported in Claymont, Delaware where a tree fell onto a tent.
7:02 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
The Kansas City International Airport is moving customers to a shelter due to the severe weather threat in the area.

6:46 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
There is a Tornado Emergency including Kansas City, Shawnee, and Bonner Springs, Kansas. If you are near these areas seek shelter immediately!
AccuWeather Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer is reporting that a monster wedge tornado is approaching west side of Kansas City. 

6:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
Major damage has been reported in South Lawrence, Kansas. Lawrence Dispatch is being inundated with calls about emergencies.
The storm is now passing Lawrence. A role call on the radio verified all officers are accounted for. Officials urge residents to remain in their shelter until the warning has passed.
6:20 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
A large, confirmed tornado is on the ground near Lone Star, approaching an area south of Lawrence, Kansas.
6:15 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
A violent and large tornado was reported north of Luray, Kansas, it has since dissipated. 

5:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
A large tornado has been spotted near Waldo, Kansas. 

5:15 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
There are reports of damage in the area of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.
A Particularly Dangerous Situation tornado warning is in effect for Scranton, Pennsylvania. 

4:36 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
A funnel cloud has been reported near Valley View, Pennsylvania in Schuylkill County.
AccuWeather Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer is targeting a tornado warned storm just to the southwest of Reading, Kansas. The storm is heading toward Osage City, Kansas. 
2:50 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
Golf ball-sized hail near Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, as well as Kittanning, Pennsylvania. 

2:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
Other roads and low-lying areas in central to southern Iowa may have standing water or water overflowing from creeks and small streams through tonight. 

1:55 p.m. CDT Tuesday:
A tornado watch has been issued for northeastern Kansas and northern Missouri, including Kansas City. The NWS notes that a couple of intense tornadoes and significant wind gusts over 80 mph will be possible in this area between now and 10 p.m. CDT. 
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