Flash Flooding and Hail in Kansas, August 12 to 13, 2002

Widespread damage to homes and vehicles.

Shed damaged, one house damaged (unspecified), windmill twisted, and door blown off a barn. In addition, power lines downed on west side of town with trees downed in various locations.

Lyons weather lab.

Monetary breakdown on farm losses: Dwellings and service buildings= $150,000; Structures (i.e. silos) =$50,000; Machinery=$25,000. Total acreage affected: 500,000. USDA Flash Situation Report contributed greatly to this narrative. In addition, power lines downed in many locations.

Widespread tree and power line damage. Power outages town-wide. See 2028 CST entry for summary of the most significant damage.

Trees and power lines downed.

See 2030 CST entry for damage summary.

Speeds ranged from 70-87kts, inflicting widespread tree and power line damage. The following were destroyed: One single-family home, three mobile homes, and a shed that was scattered amongst a grove of trees. The following sustained major damage: Two single-family homes and three mobile homes. Approximately 50 other structures sustained minor damage. A 40-foot tree, splintered at the base, fell onto the bumper of one vehicle. A state of disaster emergency was declared by Governor Graves. Area newspapers contributed greatly to this report.

Fire department vehicle (apparantly a squad car) blown into ditch. Power lines and power poles downed, including one with transformer resulting in widespread power outages. The high winds teamed with torrential rains to cause roof damage at Sterling High School that resulted in the flooding of the library and one classroom. The town's medical facility sustained damage to one area of roofing (areal extent unspecified) that leaked profusely.

Back porch destroyed when large branch of locust tree fell onto it.

Limbs downed.

Metal facade covering 2nd floor of building located on east side of town square demolished. Gas meter crushed when limb fell onto it allowing natural gas to escape. Awning of car wash damaged. In addition, many vehicles blown off roads, including a sheriff's patrol car. Approximately 3,700 residents were without power. Tree damage was widespread, the most noteworthy being the uprooting of an elm with a 30-inch base that nearly landed on a motel situated on the east side of town. Area newspapers contributed greatly to this report.

Occurred at intersection of Highway 50/K-96. Nearby, 26 empty Union Pacific freight cars, of which 24 were covered hoppers and two were auto-carriers, were blown off a siding. Two mobile homes were destroyed. Three single-family homes (of which one was unroofed) and three mobile homes sustained major damage. Downed power lines and power poles severed power to 7,315 residents, of which 1,215 were without power the following morning. Approximately 25 structures received minor damage. A state of disaster emergency was declared by Governor Graves. Area newspapers contributed greatly to this report.

Occurred at intersection of Highway 50 & Yoder Rd.

Trees downed.

Resultant fire damaged roof and attic.

Occurred at intersection Maize Rd. & K-96.

Six inch diameter limbs downed.

Occurred at intersection of 167th St. W & 21st St. N.

Occurred at intersection of 135th St. W & 21st N.

Occurred at intersection of Woodlawn & K-96. Downed power lines severed power to approximately 14,500 residences. Area newspapers contributed to this report.

Occurred at Wellington Lake.

Large tree fell onto car.

House caught fire. No details provided.

Power poles equipped with transformers were struck, causing sporadic power outages across the northern half of the county.

Widespread rainfalls from 3-9 inches, with the greater amounts occurring across central and eastern Rice County, caused major flash flooding resulting in damage to milo, corn, soybeans and alfalfa. Erosion and gullying was most pronounced in central Rice County, and led to the barricading of the following roads: 22nd Road between Avenues W & Y, Avenue V from 20th to 21st Roads, Avenue J between 14th & 15th Roads, Avenue N & 8th Road intersection, Avenue F between 9th & 10th Roads, and 20th Road between Avenues Q & V, and Avenue T between 14th and 18th Roads. Area newspapers and the USDA Flash Situation Report contributed greatly to this narrative.

Nickerson completely flooded and inaccessible, with water levels reaching the windows of many vehicles. In South Hutchinson, a 17-year old drove his sport utility vehicle into the city's storm overflow drainage pond where it later submerged. The S.U.V., a 1994 Mazda Navajo worth $6,000, was a total loss. In addition, flooding, though of a lesser magnitude, was reported throughout the county. No dollar estimate available regarding crop losses, however total acreage affected was 250,000. In Hutchinson, the Cow Creek overflowed, resulting in the closures of the following roads and streets: Pennington Road from 5th Avenue north to 82nd Avenue, 43rd Avenue from Pennington Road east 1 block to Hendricks Road, 50th Avenue from Wilson Road east 1 block to Pennington Road, 56th Avenue from Wilson Road east half a block toward Pennington Road, 69th Avenue from Wilson Road east 2 blocks to Hendricks Road, and Wilson Road from 69th Avenue north to 82nd Avenue. USDA Flash Situation Report and area newspapers contributed greatly to this narrative.