Tornado and Flash Flooding in Kansas, July 3 to 21, 1997

Name: Tornado and Flash Flooding in Kansas, July 3 to 21, 1997
Start: 1997-07-03T16:08
End: 1997-07-21T04:00
Location: Kansas

July 3 to 21, 1997 · NWS ICT · 62 events in 12 counties and zones

44 hail, 14 thunderstorm wind, 3 flash flood, 1 tornado, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $575,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 62

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The Wichita radar (KICT), 136 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:07 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

44 hail, 14 thunderstorm wind, 3 flash flood, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Wilson

When: July 3, 4:08 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, Buxton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.450, -95.920

Hail, Labette

When: July 3, 5:26 PM CST
Where: Labette County, 5 mi N of Angola
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.170, -95.470

Hail, Labette

When: July 3, 5:50 PM CST
Where: Labette County, 2 mi NW of Bartlett
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.070, -95.250

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 3, 7:05 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Maize
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.770, -97.470

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 3, 7:17 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Wichita
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.700, -97.330

Hail, Reno

When: July 8, 4:22 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Castleton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.870, -97.970

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 8, 5:03 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, (Ict)wichita Arpt
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.650, -97.430

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 8, 5:11 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Wichita
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.700, -97.330

Hail, Reno

When: July 8, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Reno County, 1 mi N of Haven
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.920, -97.780

Hail, Reno

When: July 8, 5:47 PM CST
Where: Reno County, 2 mi S of Castleton
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 37.830, -97.970

Hail, Reno

When: July 8, 5:58 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Haven
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 37.900, -97.780

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 8, 5:59 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Wichita
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.700, -97.330

INTERSECTION I-235 & K-42.

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 8, 5:59 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Wichita
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.700, -97.330

NEAR S. MAC ARTHUR

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 8, 6:11 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Wichita
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.700, -97.330

INTERSECTION PAWNEE & MERIDIAN.

Hail, Reno

When: July 8, 6:22 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Castleton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.870, -97.970

Hail, Harvey

When: July 8, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Harvey County, 10 mi W of Hesston
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.130, -97.620

Hail, Reno

When: July 8, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Yoder
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.930, -97.870

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When: July 8, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Yoder
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 37.930, -97.870

Hail, McPherson

When: July 8, 6:48 PM CST
Where: McPherson County, 2 mi S of Inman
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 38.200, -97.770

Hail, McPherson

When: July 8, 6:55 PM CST
Where: McPherson County, Groveland
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 38.300, -97.720

Hail, McPherson

When: July 8, 7:05 PM CST
Where: McPherson County, Mc Pherson to 7 mi W of Mc Pherson
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.300, -97.750

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: July 8, 7:05 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 3 mi N of Mt Hope
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 37.920, -97.670

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When: July 8, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Reno County, 1 mi S of Yoder
Measured: 75 kt (86 mph)
Coordinates: 37.920, -97.870

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When: July 8, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Marion County, Durham
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 38.480, -97.220

4-5 INCH TREE LIMBS BLOWN DOWN.

Hail, Reno

When: July 8, 7:57 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Haven
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.900, -97.780

Hail, Reno

When: July 8, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Reno County, 3 mi N of Haven
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.950, -97.780

Flash Flood, Reno

When: July 8, 10:07 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Yoder
Coordinates: 37.953, -98.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

SMALL CREEK FLOODED YODER ROAD.

Hail, Harper

When: July 13, 5:38 PM CST
Where: Harper County, 5 mi SW of Attica
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 37.180, -98.300

Hail, Harper

When: July 13, 5:47 PM CST
Where: Harper County, 4 mi SW of Attica
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 37.200, -98.280

Hail, Harper

When: July 13, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Harper County, 13 mi W of Anthony
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.150, -98.270

Hail, Harper

When: July 13, 6:17 PM CST
Where: Harper County, 5 mi SW of Attica
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.180, -98.300

Hail, Harper

When: July 13, 6:43 PM CST
Where: Harper County, 4 mi SW of Attica
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 37.200, -98.280

Hail, Harvey

When: July 13, 6:59 PM CST
Where: Harvey County, 2 mi N of Burrton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.050, -97.670

Hail, Harper

When: July 13, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Harper County, 2 mi SW of Attica
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.220, -98.270

Hail, Reno

When: July 13, 7:12 PM CST
Where: Reno County, Pretty Prairie
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.780, -98.020

Hail, Harvey

When: July 13, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Harvey County, Halstead
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.000, -97.520

Hail, Harvey

When: July 13, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Harvey County, 4 mi E of Burrton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.020, -97.600

Hail, Harvey

When: July 13, 7:50 PM CST
Where: Harvey County, Burrton to 4 mi E of Burrton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.020, -97.600

Tornado, Marion

When: July 13, 8:40 PM CST
Where: Marion County, 4 mi NW of Lincolnville
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Coordinates: 38.530, -97.020

Hail, Marion

When: July 13, 8:50 PM CST
Where: Marion County, Tampa
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 38.550, -97.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Sumner

When: July 16, 5:53 PM CST
Where: Sumner County, Perth
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph)
Coordinates: 37.170, -97.500

Hail, Cowley

When: July 16, 6:08 PM CST
Where: Cowley County, 6 mi W of Winfield
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Coordinates: 37.250, -97.100

Hail, Sumner

When: July 16, 6:19 PM CST
Where: Sumner County, 3 mi N of Mulvane
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.530, -97.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Sumner

When: July 16, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Sumner County, 3 mi E of Mulvane
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 37.480, -97.200

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: July 16, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 5 mi S of Haysville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 37.500, -97.370

Hail, Sumner

When: July 16, 6:31 PM CST
Where: Sumner County, 3 mi E of Mulvane
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.480, -97.200

Hail, Sumner

When: July 16, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Sumner County, Caldwell
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.030, -97.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: July 16, 6:39 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Derby
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Coordinates: 37.550, -97.270

Thunderstorm Wind, Cowley

When: July 16, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Cowley County, 2 mi S of Rock
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Property damage: $75,000
Coordinates: 37.420, -97.000

BARN BLOWN DOWN, MOBILE HOME ROLLED OVER, NUMEROUS TREES BLOWN DOWN.

Hail, Cowley

When: July 16, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Cowley County, 2 mi S of Rock
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.420, -97.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Cowley

When: July 16, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Cowley County, Udall
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph)
Coordinates: 37.380, -97.120

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 16, 6:44 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 8 mi NE of Viola
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.570, -97.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: July 16, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Butler County, Douglass
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 37.520, -97.020

SHINGLES BLOWN OFF ROOFS, & 6 INCH TREE LIMBS BLOWN DOWN.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: July 16, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Butler County, Rose Hill
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 37.570, -97.130

POWER LINES BLOWN DOWN.

Hail, Cowley

When: July 16, 6:57 PM CST
Where: Cowley County, 2 mi S of Rock
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.420, -97.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Sumner

When: July 16, 11:01 PM CST
Where: Sumner County, 1 mi S of Wellington
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 37.250, -97.400

TREES & POWER LINES BLOWN DOWN.

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 16, 11:40 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Viola
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 37.480, -97.650

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 16, 11:54 PM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Viola
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.480, -97.650

Hail, Sedgwick

When: July 17, 5:00 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, Derby
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 37.550, -97.270

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: July 17, 5:15 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 7 mi S of Derby
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $500,000
Coordinates: 37.450, -97.270

NUMEROUS TREES BLOWN DOWN, METAL BARN BLOWN DOWN @ 119TH & HILLSIDE. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO FARM DWELLINGS, STRUCTURES & MACHINERY.

Flash Flood, Kingman

When: July 20, 12:12 AM CST
Where: Kingman County, Norwich
Coordinates: 37.559, -98.136 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

SANDY CREEK FLOODED PARTS OF K-42.

Flash Flood, Kingman

When: July 21, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Kingman County, Rago
Coordinates: 37.559, -98.136 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

CHIKASKIA RIVER FLOODED 2 MILES SOUTH OF RAGO CLOSING SMALL SECTION OF K14.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 1997 Every state in 1997 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Kansas, 1997 Warnings in Kansas, July 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5604710, 5604711, 5604712, 5604714, 5604713, 5604449, 5604715, 5604716, 5604719, 5604720, 5604721, 5604717, 5604718, 5604437, 5604438, 5604441, 5604439, 5604440, 5604442, 5604443, 5604444, 5604445, 5604446, 5604451, 5604447, 5604450, 5604448, 5604452, 5604453, 5604454, 5604455, 5604456, 5604458, 5604457, 5604460, 5604459, 5604461, 5604462, 5604463, 5604464, and more.