Last updated at 2:18 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1
By SALINA POST
The National Weather Service in Wichita issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Saline County, which expired at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 31.
Power outages and caution on roadways
A powerful thunderstorm swept through Salina on Wednesday night, causing significant disruptions and leaving 17,000+ residents in Salina without power.
The storm, characterized by intense lightning, heavy rainfall, loud thunder, and high winds struck the city around 9:20 p.m. leading to widespread tree damage and power outages in several neighborhoods.
According to Evergy’s outage map power is estimated to be restored at approximately 11 p.m. on July 31. Many residents remained without power into the city early hours of Aug. 1.
“There is a lot of debris in the roadways,” said Saline County Emergency Management Director Michelle Weis. “Motorists will experience intersections without signs or power to street lights, and debris in the roadways.”
Weis reminds drivers that if they come to an intersection without operating street lights, to treat it as a four-way stop.
The NWS reminds residents to stay indoors and avoid any downed power lines. Exercise caution and avoid flooded areas.
The Saline County Commission has issued a verbal state of disaster emergency proclamation.
Weis reminds residents that if they have tree debris down and it is completely blocking the roadway call the Salina Police Department at: (785) 826-7210 and Road and Bridge will send someone out to remove that debris.
Weis also said that if you have tree limbs or debris that has severely damaged your roof or home, i.e. a massive tree limb that has punctured through your roof, etc. please call the Salina Police Department as well.
READ MORE: Saline County focuses on recovery efforts following severe thunderstorm
Once Salina Road and Bridge completes its work of opening all roads, it will begin collecting all minor limbs down on sidewalks, smaller tree limbs on the sides of streets, etc.
To report and view Evergy outages in your area, use this link.
If your home has been damaged and you are in need of volunteer assistance please call Saline County Emergency at 785.826.6511.
“Please send photos of storm damage to [email protected] and be sure to include the nearest intersection or their address,” said Melissa McCoy Saline County Public Information Officer. “It will help us assess damage, direct clean up efforts and make a good case for state funding.”
If you have storm damage photos and/or video send it to [email protected]. Please include the name of the person who took the photo/video and the location where it was taken.
Salina Post will update this story as new information becomes available.
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Salina KS, Assaria KS and Gypsum KS until 10:15 PM CDT. This storm will contain wind gusts to 70 MPH.
At 7:18 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Salina, moving east at 40 mph. The storm is producing hazardous conditions, including wind gusts of 70 mph and penny size hail. At 7:15 PM CDT, a 74 mph wind gust was reported at Salina Regional Airport.
Hazard:70 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.
Source: ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System).
Impact: Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.
Locations impacted include: Salina, Gypsum, Brookville, Smolan, New Cambria, Glendale, Salina Airport, and Kipp.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building for protection. Stay tuned to local weather updates for further information.
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By SALINA POST
The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for southwestern Republic County and Cloud County in north-central Kansas, effective until 6:45 PM
A severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles north of Glasco, moving east at 30 mph. The storm poses a significant threat with tennis ball size hail and wind gusts up to 70 mph.
Hazard:Tennis ball size hail and 70 mph wind gusts.**Source:** Radar indicated.*
Impact: People and animals outdoors are at risk of injury. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Considerable tree damage is anticipated, and wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.
Locations impacted include: Concordia, Glasco, Jamestown, and Aurora.
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By SALINA POST
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect until 6:30 PM CDT for Mitchell, southern Jewell, southeastern Smith, and northeastern Osborne counties.
At 5:55 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 7 miles northwest of Ionia to near Cawker City, moving southeast at 45 mph.
Hazard:60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.
Soure: Radar indicated.
Impact: Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
These severe storms will be near:- Cawker City, Glen Elder, and Ionia around 6:00 PM CDT and Beloit around 6:15 PM CDT.
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(First posted at 5:50 p.m. July 31, 2024)
By SALINA POST
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 583, which is in effect from 5:50 p.m. CDT Wednesday, July 31, 2024, until 1:00 a.m. CDT Thursday, August 1, 2024.
This watch includes the following counties in Kansas:
Barton, Clay, Dickinson, Ellis, Ellsworth, Geary, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln, Marion, McPherson, Morris, Nemaha, Ness, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Rice, Riley, Rush, Russell, Saline, Shawnee, Stafford, Trego, Wabaunsee
Residents in these areas are advised to remain alert for severe weather conditions.
For further weather information and updates, please check this Salina Post article.