Kansas, 2009

Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Kansas, June 15 to 16, 2009

June 15 to 16, 2009 · NWS ICT · 92 events in 16 counties and zones

A significant severe weather episode developed across portions of Kansas on the evening of June 15th, 2009, into the early morning hours of June 16th. Supercells developed in the warm sector across South Central and Central Kansas as a warm front moved to the north into northern Kansas.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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
$1.2 million
Crop damage
$26,000
Events
92

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS ICT wrote it up.

A significant severe weather episode developed across portions of Kansas on the evening of June 15th, 2009, into the early morning hours of June 16th. Supercells developed in the warm sector across South Central and Central Kansas as a warm front moved to the north into northern Kansas. This event was highlighted by several tornado touchdowns across Butler County, Kansas, that fortunately produced little damage. The storms eventually turned into prolific wind damage producers as the overnight continued, as the high precipitation supercells moved into Hutchinson and Wichita. This was the second time within a two week period (the other, June 7th, 2009) that Hutchinson received significant wind damage, with some areas getting hit from both storms.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Wichita, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 15, 2:16 PM CST, 2 hours 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 15, 2:16 PM CST, 2 hours 20 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
316 PM CDT MON JUN 15 2009

.DISCUSSION...

THE MAIN CONCERN WITH THIS FORECAST PACKAGE WILL BE THE SEVERE STORM
POTENTIAL THIS EVENING...THEN AGAIN ON THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY.

TONIGHT:
LATEST VISIBLE IMAGERY WAS SHOWING A CLUSTER OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED
THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING OVER WESTERN OKLAHOMA. THIS ACTIVITY LOOKS
TO BE RATHER CAPPED AND ELEVATED AT THIS TIME...AND MAY REMAIN THAT
WAY THROUGH MUCH OF THE AFTERNOON. HOWEVER...LOOKING AT THE LATEST
LAPS ANALYSIS IT APPEARS LIKE THE MIXED LAYER CONVECTIVE INHIBITION
IS LESS ACROSS AREAS EAST OF THE TURNPIKE. IF THIS CLUSTER CAN HOLD
TOGETHER...THEN IT MAY BE ABLE TO BECOME SEVERE ONCE IT MOVES INTO
AREAS OF THE TURNPIKE. ALTHOUGH...WE ARE NOT REAL CONFIDENT IN THIS
OCCURRING.  THE MAIN FOCUS APPEARS TO BE IN SOUTHWEST KANSAS
STRETCHING INTO THE TEXAS PANHANDLE WHERE QUITE A BIT OF CUMULUS
DEVELOPMENT IS TAKING PLACE IN ASSOCIATION WITH AN UPPER LEVEL
POTENTIAL VORTICITY ANOMALY. THIS POTENTIAL VORTICITY ANOMALY SHOULD
STIR UP QUITE A BIT CONVECTION THIS AFTERNOON IN WESTERN KANSAS AND
THE OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE THIS AFTERNOON. PUTTING ALL OF THIS TOGETHER
IT APPEARS LIKE WE COULD SEE A FEW ISOLATED STORMS LATE THIS
AFTERNOON...EARLY THIS EVENING. IF THESE STORMS DEVELOP...THEY WILL
MOST LIKELY BE SUPERCELLULAR WITH EVEN AN ISOLATED TORNADO
THREAT...ESPECIALLY IF THE LOW LEVEL FLOW BACKS AHEAD OF THE CELLS.
LATER TONIGHT IS A TOUGH CALL ON THE TRACK OF THE MESOSCALE
CONVECTIVE SYSTEM (MCS). AT THIS POINT...WE DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE
ENOUGH TO FOCUS ON ANY PARTICULAR AREA. ALTHOUGH...THE BEST CHANCE
FOR A LONG LIVED MCS APPEARS TO BE IN CENTRAL KANSAS ON THE SOUTHERN
EDGE OF WESTERLIES. SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS ON THE OTHER
HAND IS NOT OUT OF THE WOODS ESPECIALLY WITH SUCH HIGH INSTABILITY
IN PLACE...GOOD 850MB STORM RELATIVE FLOW. A STRONG COLD POOL COULD
ALSO DEVELOP WHICH MAY CAUSE A PROLONGED WIND EVENT. WE ALSO WENT
AHEAD AND ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE ENTIRE AREA
TONIGHT...DUE TO HIGH PRECIPITABLE WATER VALUES IN PLACE.

TUESDAY-TUESDAY NIGHT:
THE BULK OF THE CONVECTION SHOULD MOVE OUT OF THE PICTURE MAINLY
BEFORE DAYBREAK ON TUESDAY...BUT THERE MAY BE A FEW LINGERING
SHOWERS AND STORMS IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS. THE REMAINDER OF THE AREA
WILL SEE A FAIRLY NICE DAY WITH COOLER CONDITIONS. THERE IS A SMALL
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LATE TUESDAY NIGHT AS SOME
ISENTROPIC LIFT DEVELOPS ALONG A BAROCLINIC ZONE BETWEEN 310-315K.
HOWEVER... THERE IS NOT MUCH IN THE WAY OF UPPER LEVEL SUPPORT. WITH
SOME INSTABILITY IN PLACE...WE PLAN ON KEEPING SMALL CHANCES OF
THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY AFTER MIDNIGHT.

WEDNESDAY-MONDAY:
THE NEXT STORM SYSTEM APPEARS TO MOVE OUT OF THE ROCKIES THURSDAY
NIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING. THIS STORM SYSTEM WILL PUSH THE FRONTAL
BOUNDARY SOUTH THROUGH THE AREA. AS A RESULT...MORE STRONG TO SEVERE
STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE DURING THIS TIMEFRAME. BEYOND THIS
PERIOD...THE UPPER LEVEL RIDGE IS EXPECTED TO BUILD OVER THE AREA
AND BRING BACK HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS THIS WEEKEND.

COX

&&
.AVIATION...18Z TAFS KRSL/KSLN/KHUT/KICT/KCNU
A STATIONARY BOUNDARY SPANS MUCH OF THE NORTHERN SECTIONS OF THE
FORECAST AREA. THIS AREA WILL BE THE FOCUS OF A DECENT CUMULUS
FIELD. ELSEWHERE...WARM TEMPERATURES AND AN APPROACHING LOW
PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE THE POTENTIAL FOR THUNDERSTORMS LATE
THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL AND CENTRAL
KANSAS. THESE STORMS COULD BE SEVERE WITH LARGE HAIL AND POSSIBLY
A TORNADO. LATER THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT...THE SURFACE LOW
CURRENTLY IN SW KANSAS WILL MOVE EASTWARD A KICK OFF ANOTHER ROUND
OF NOCTURNAL STORMS. ONCE AGAIN...LARGE HAIL WILL BE THE PRIMARY CULPRIT.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
WICHITA-KICT    67  92  69  98 /  70  10  20  10
HUTCHINSON      65  91  68  98 /  70  10  20  10
NEWTON          66  91  68  95 /  70  20  20  20
ELDORADO        66  91  69  95 /  70  20  20  20
WINFIELD-KWLD   69  92  70  98 /  60  10  20  10
RUSSELL         64  88  66  98 /  80  10  20  10
GREAT BEND      64  89  67  99 /  80  10  20  10
SALINA          65  89  67  97 /  80  10  20  20
MCPHERSON       65  90  68  97 /  80  10  20  10
COFFEYVILLE     70  90  70  97 /  70  20  20  20
CHANUTE         68  89  69  94 /  70  20  20  20
IOLA            66  89  69  93 /  80  20  20  20
PARSONS-KPPF    69  90  70  95 /  70  20  20  20

&&

.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY
MORNING FOR KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100.

&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 15, 3:33 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
433 PM CDT MON JUN 15 2009

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-161000-
RUSSELL-LINCOLN-BARTON-ELLSWORTH-SALINE-RICE-MCPHERSON-MARION-CHASE-
RENO-HARVEY-BUTLER-GREENWOOD-WOODSON-ALLEN-KINGMAN-SEDGWICK-HARPER-
SUMNER-COWLEY-ELK-WILSON-NEOSHO-CHAUTAUQUA-MONTGOMERY-LABETTE-
433 PM CDT MON JUN 15 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL...SOUTH
CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

A FEW ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS WILL DEVELOP OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
AND SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS THIS EVENING. SOME OF THESE STORMS WILL BE
CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL UP TO BASEBALL SIZE...DAMAGING
WINDS AND POSSIBLY A COUPLE OF TORNADOES. LATER TONIGHT A CLUSTER OF
STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ACROSS
WESTERN KANSAS AND MOVE EAST THROUGH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS.
THE PRIMARY THREAT WITH THIS CLUSTER OF STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING
WINDS AND LARGE HAIL. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO PRODUCE HIGH
RAINFALL RATES WHICH MAY YIELD TO FLASH FLOODING. SEE THE LATEST
FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

A FEW STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER THE AREA TUESDAY NIGHT.
THE MAIN THREAT WITH THESE STORMS WILL BE DIME SIZE HAIL AND GUSTY
WINDS UP TO 50 MPH. THE CHANCES ARE INCREASING THAT STRONG TO SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS WILL RETURN TO KANSAS THURSDAY NIGHT AS A COLD FRONT
SURGES SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE STATE. THEREFORE...ONE SHOULD MONITOR
LATER FORECASTS FOR FURTHER UPDATES.

HOT & VERY HUMID WEATHER WILL PESTER THE REGION THE MIDDLE OF THE
WEEK...ESPECIALLY WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY...WHEN AFTERNOON HEAT
INDICES ARE LIKELY TO REACH 100 TO 105.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED THIS EVENING AND
OVERNIGHT.

&&

FOR A GRAPHICAL VERSION OF THIS INFORMATION...SEE OUR WEBPAGE AT
(LOWERCASE) HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/WICHITA/HWO/HWO.PHP

COX/ES

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 15, 4:25 PM CST, 11 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
525 PM CDT MON JUN 15 2009

KSZ069-083-093-152300-
BUTLER-COWLEY-SEDGWICK-
525 PM CDT MON JUN 15 2009

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ALERT FOR BUTLER...COWLEY AND SEDGWICK COUNTIES...

AT 523 PM CDT...SATELLITE IMAGERY AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THUNDERSTORMS WERE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING
NEAR ROSE HILL...OR 18 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DOWNTOWN WICHITA...AND
MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS OF 60 TO 75 MPH ARE POSSIBLE
WITH THESE STORMS AS THEY INTENSIFY.

PEOPLE IN NORTHWESTERN COWLEY...SOUTHEASTERN SEDGWICK AND
SOUTHWESTERN BUTLER COUNTIES...SHOULD MONITOR THE WEATHER SITUATION
CLOSELY. A WARNING MAY BE NEEDED IF THE STORMS MOVE INTO THE AREA. BE
READY TO SEEK SHELTER IF SEVERE WEATHER THREATENS.

BILLINGS
Local storm report, Jun 15, 4:33 PM CST, 3 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
533 PM CDT MON JUN 15 2009

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0533 PM     HAIL             ROSE HILL               37.57N 97.13W
06/15/2009  E0.50 INCH       BUTLER             KS   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

CWH

The radar

The Wichita radar (KICT), 32 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:36 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

38 hail, 34 thunderstorm wind, 11 tornado, 5 flash flood, 3 heavy rain, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 4:36 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 1.64 mi E of Rose Hill
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.570, -97.100

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 4:45 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 0.69 mi N of Augusta
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.690, -96.980

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 4:45 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 3.43 mi SW of Augusta
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
37.650, -97.030

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 4:51 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 3.8 mi W of Augusta
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.680, -97.049

KWCH trained spotter reported hail along Highway 54.

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 4:54 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 3.75 mi W of Augusta
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
37.680, -97.049

Reported by KWCH trained spotter.

Hail, Marion

When
June 15, 5:03 PM CST
Where
Marion County, 4.89 mi E of Peabody
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
38.170, -97.010

Hail, Marion

When
June 15, 5:03 PM CST
Where
Marion County, 0.69 mi S of Florence
Measured
1.25 in hail
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
38.240, -96.930

The hail was quarter to half dollar sized. The hail cracked windshields and damaged three vehicles. Some shingles on the house were also damaged.

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 5:07 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 0.55 mi E of El Dorado
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.820, -96.860

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 5:28 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 0.55 mi E of El Dorado
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.820, -96.860

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 5:32 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 3.91 mi NNW of El Dorado Res
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.922, -96.850

Tornado, Butler

When
June 15, 5:45 PM CST to 5:46 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 3.35 mi SW of El Dorado to 2.69 mi SW of El Dorado
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.66 mi
Path width
75 yd
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.784, -96.911

The tornado touched down briefly in an open field.

Tornado, Butler

When
June 15, 5:47 PM CST to 5:49 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 2.11 mi SW of El Dorado to 1.45 mi SSW of El Dorado
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.77 mi
Path width
75 yd
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.797, -96.896

The tornado was on the ground for about two minutes and was heading right at the refinery. It lifted just prior to arriving at the refinery.

Tornado, Butler

When
June 15, 5:50 PM CST to 5:52 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 5.15 mi SE of El Dorado to 5.12 mi ESE of El Dorado
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.89 mi
Path width
65 yd
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.770, -96.800

A small rope tornado was reported on the ground for a short time.

Tornado, Butler

When
June 15, 5:55 PM CST to 5:57 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 5.64 mi WSW of Rosalia to 4.87 mi WSW of Rosalia
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.81 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.780, -96.710

The rope tornado briefly touched down in an open field.

Tornado, Butler

When
June 15, 5:58 PM CST to 5:59 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 5.33 mi ESE of El Dorado to 5.57 mi ESE of El Dorado
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.53 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.790, -96.780

A very brief touch down in an open field.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When
June 15, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Lincoln County, 2.77 mi WNW of Barnard
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
39.190, -98.100

A power pole was blown down.

Tornado, Butler

When
June 15, 6:01 PM CST to 6:03 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 5.55 mi SSE of El Dorado Res to 5.35 mi SE of El Dorado Res
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.83 mi
Path width
65 yd
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.800, -96.770

Second touch down of a rope tornado. Once again this tornado touched down in an open field.

Tornado, Butler

When
June 15, 6:04 PM CST to 6:06 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 2.64 mi SW of Rosalia to 2.1 mi SW of Rosalia
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.56 mi
Path width
55 yd
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.790, -96.650

Brief tornado touch down in an open field.

Tornado, Butler

When
June 15, 6:08 PM CST to 6:09 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 1.76 mi SW of Rosalia to 1.09 mi SW of Rosalia
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.68 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.800, -96.640

The rope tornado was briefly on the ground and moved across open pasture land.

Hail, Chase

When
June 15, 6:08 PM CST
Where
Chase County, 1.63 mi W of Cottonwood Falls
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.370, -96.560

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When
June 15, 6:09 PM CST
Where
Reno County, 4.87 mi S of Sylvia
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.900, -98.410

Winds estimated by Emergency management spotters.

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When
June 15, 6:12 PM CST to 6:17 PM CST
Where
Reno County, 6.93 mi N of Plevna
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.070, -98.310

A trained spotter estimated 80 mph winds for a 5 minute period. Two eight inch trees were knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When
June 15, 6:16 PM CST
Where
Reno County, 0.54 mi W of Plevna
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.970, -98.310

Winds estimated by a trained spotter.

Tornado, Reno

When
June 15, 6:17 PM CST to 6:18 PM CST
Where
Reno County, 7.6 mi N of Plevna to 7.61 mi N of Plevna
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.39 mi
Path width
50 yd
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.080, -98.300

The tornado briefly touched down in an open field causing no damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chase

When
June 15, 6:18 PM CST
Where
Chase County, 0.54 mi W of Cottonwood Falls
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.370, -96.540

A trained spotter estimated the winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When
June 15, 6:18 PM CST
Where
Reno County, 0.54 mi W of Plevna
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.970, -98.310

Winds estimated by a trained spotter.

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When
June 15, 6:18 PM CST
Where
Reno County, Abbyville to 0.36 mi W of Abbyville
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.970, -98.200

Six to eight inch tree limbs were down on Main street and Trails West Road.

Tornado, Chase

When
June 15, 6:20 PM CST to 6:23 PM CST
Where
Chase County, 1.77 mi WNW of Cedar Pt to 1.57 mi NNW of Cedar Pt
Rating
EF0
Path length
1.29 mi
Path width
75 yd
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.280, -96.850

The tornado moved over open country and caused no damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kingman

When
June 15, 6:26 PM CST
Where
Kingman County, 2.73 mi W of Penalosa
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.720, -98.370

Debris was on the road with trees snapped in half.

Hail, Chase

When
June 15, 6:33 PM CST
Where
Chase County, 0.54 mi W of Cottonwood Falls
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.370, -96.540

Hail, Chase

When
June 15, 6:35 PM CST
Where
Chase County, 1.63 mi W of Cottonwood Falls
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.370, -96.560

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When
June 15, 6:45 PM CST to 7:15 PM CST
Where
Reno County, 1.2 mi NW of South Hutchinson to 1.16 mi N of Hutchinson
Measured
78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$750,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
38.043, -97.934

Damaging winds estimated to be 90 mph moved across most of Hutchinson causing extensive damage. One of the worst hit areas was an area that was hit 8 days before by mircoburst winds in South Hutchinson (see June 7th, 2009), including damage to the same bus manufacturing plant, motel and storage facility. This set of storms finished what the previous storms started, removing more walls and larger portions of the roof. Three of the four buildings at a motel were considered a total loss. Downtown Hutchinson also received significant damage, including removing a 100 foot by 30 foot section of roof to one business, and a portion of a roof to a loft. A warehouse downtown suffered so much damage that it had to be demolished. A power works building lost three of its overhead doors and an animal shelter had some roof damage. A large number of power of poles were also knocked down, especially near the state fairgrounds, where poles had to replaced from 17th to 30th Avenues on Plum Street. 30 to 40 percent of the city had tree limb damage. The storm knocked out power to 7300 people.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rice

When
June 15, 6:51 PM CST to 6:55 PM CST
Where
Rice County, 0.54 mi E of Little River
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.400, -98.010

Three inch tree limbs down and torrential rain.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rice

When
June 15, 6:51 PM CST to 6:53 PM CST
Where
Rice County, 0.69 mi SSW of Sterling
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$13,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
38.211, -98.204

Winds estimated around 70 mph knocked down three 70 foot tall cottonwood trees. One of the trees fell on the corner of a residence causing significant damage to the roof and one wall.

Thunderstorm Wind, McPherson

When
June 15, 6:53 PM CST
Where
McPherson County, 0.59 mi WNW of Windom
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
38.383, -97.910

Wind measured at the KSN TV weatherlab site.

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When
June 15, 6:53 PM CST to 6:59 PM CST
Where
Reno County, 1.02 mi W of Partridge to 3.55 mi WSW of South Hutchinson
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$80,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.972, -98.099

Winds esitmated to be 60 mph destroyed a 140 year old barn on a property northeast of Partridge. The large barn measured 60 feet wide by 30 feet tall, with 3600 square feet of usable space.

Thunderstorm Wind, McPherson

When
June 15, 6:57 PM CST
Where
McPherson County, 0.54 mi W of Windom
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Crop damage
$15,000
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
38.380, -97.910

The wind was measured at the KSN TV weatherlab site. The wind also knocked down almost 25 percent of the wheat crop in and around town.

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 7:02 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 5.13 mi WNW of Clearwater
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
37.535, -97.582

Thunderstorm Wind, McPherson

When
June 15, 7:03 PM CST
Where
McPherson County, 5.15 mi NNE of Mc Pherson
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.434, -97.621

Trees and power poles downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When
June 15, 7:05 PM CST
Where
Reno County, (Hut)hutchinson Muni
Measured
59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
38.070, -97.870

Wind gust measured at the ASOS site in Hutchinson.

Heavy Rain, Chase

When
June 15, 7:06 PM CST
Where
Chase County, 0.54 mi W of Cottonwood Falls
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.370, -96.540

Rainfall measured 2.00 inches.

Thunderstorm Wind, McPherson

When
June 15, 7:11 PM CST to 7:13 PM CST
Where
McPherson County, 0.54 mi E of Mc Pherson
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.370, -97.660

Several large trees were down with one over the road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When
June 15, 7:11 PM CST
Where
Reno County, (Hut)hutchinson Muni
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
38.070, -97.870

Wind measured at the ASOS site.

Thunderstorm Wind, McPherson

When
June 15, 7:12 PM CST
Where
McPherson County, 0.69 mi S of Lindsborg
Measured
72 kt (83 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.570, -97.670

Thunderstorm Wind, McPherson

When
June 15, 7:12 PM CST
Where
McPherson County, 0.54 mi E of Mc Pherson
Measured
72 kt (83 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
38.370, -97.660

Winds were measured using home equipment.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harvey

When
June 15, 7:20 PM CST to 7:25 PM CST
Where
Harvey County, 0.98 mi W of Halstead to 1.61 mi NW of Hesston
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$168,000
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
38.001, -97.538

Damaging winds estimated around 60 mph caused damage along a path from Halstead to Hesston. Some local businesses in Hesston sustained roof damage. One building had 25 percent of roof ripped away. A nearby business also received damage. Numerous tree limbs were also knocked down in both towns. Homes north and west of Halstead also received serious damage, including destroying a 25 year old barn, and a 100 year old grove of Catalpa trees at one homestead. The damage path was almost a 100 yards wide, snapping poles, overturning grain bins and damaging irrigation pivots along its path.

Thunderstorm Wind, McPherson

When
June 15, 7:20 PM CST to 7:25 PM CST
Where
McPherson County, 5.53 mi S of Canton
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$45,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
38.300, -97.409

Damaging straight line winds estimated at 80 mph took the roof off a storage shed and severely damaged another shed on a homestead.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When
June 15, 7:28 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where
Marion County, 2.68 mi SE of Goessel
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$18,000
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
38.222, -97.316

The winds caused damage to a barn and nearby trees.

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 7:29 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 2.29 mi WSW of Wichita
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.690, -97.370

Hail, Kingman

When
June 15, 7:30 PM CST
Where
Kingman County, 3.9 mi W of Zenda
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.460, -98.350

The hail was dime to nickel size.

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 7:34 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 0.47 mi WSW of Wichita
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
37.699, -97.338

Reported at the KSN TV weatherlab.

Hail, Harper

When
June 15, 7:34 PM CST
Where
Harper County, 0.48 mi N of Runnymede
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.357, -97.930

Thunderstorm Wind, Harvey

When
June 15, 7:35 PM CST
Where
Harvey County, 0.88 mi SE of Newton
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
38.040, -97.340

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 7:38 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 1.51 mi SW of Wichita
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
37.682, -97.346

Reported at Lawrence Dumont Stadium during a Wichita Wingnuts game.

Tornado, Greenwood

When
June 15, 7:40 PM CST to 7:42 PM CST
Where
Greenwood County, 3.52 mi NE of Hamilton to 4.16 mi WSW of Hilltop
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.74 mi
Path width
55 yd
Reported by
Storm Chaser
Coordinates
38.020, -96.130

The tornado briefly touched down in an open field and caused no damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When
June 15, 7:43 PM CST to 7:46 PM CST
Where
Marion County, 2.34 mi SSE of Marion Res to 4.7 mi S of Hillsboro
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$15,000
Crop damage
$10,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
38.350, -97.110

The 60 mph winds destroyed a barn at a home along Jade Road. The storm also stripped trees of leaves and damaged corn plants. Some wheat damage also occurred.

Hail, Harper

When
June 15, 7:44 PM CST
Where
Harper County, 0.48 mi N of Runnymede
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.357, -97.930

Hail, Sumner

When
June 15, 7:45 PM CST
Where
Sumner County, 4.37 mi ENE of Riverdale
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.394, -97.326

Hail, Harper

When
June 15, 7:46 PM CST
Where
Harper County, 0.51 mi N of Runnymede
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
37.357, -97.930

Hail, Greenwood

When
June 15, 7:50 PM CST
Where
Greenwood County, 0.54 mi W of Madison
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.130, -96.140

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 7:51 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 5.59 mi SSE of Derby
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
37.475, -97.230

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 7:55 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 4.98 mi WSW of Viola
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.460, -97.737

Thunderstorm Wind, Harvey

When
June 15, 7:55 PM CST
Where
Harvey County, 3.87 mi E of Newton Arpt
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.040, -97.210

Winds estimated by a trained spotter.

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 7:55 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 1.64 mi E of Rose Hill
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
37.570, -97.100

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 7:59 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 0.55 mi E of Viola
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
37.480, -97.640

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 7:59 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 0.6 mi S of Rose Hill
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
37.561, -97.130

Thunderstorm Wind, Chase

When
June 15, 8:00 PM CST
Where
Chase County, 0.54 mi W of Cottonwood Falls
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
38.370, -96.540

A 3 to 4 foot diameter tree fell across the road.

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 8:03 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 0.55 mi E of Viola
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
37.480, -97.640

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 8:08 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 2.73 mi SSE of Eastborough
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
37.665, -97.226

Reported by a KSN TV spotter near Harry and Webb Roads.

Hail, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 8:10 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 2.75 mi SSE of Eastborough
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
37.665, -97.226

Reported by KSN TV spotter at Harry and Webb Roads.

Flood, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 8:25 PM CST to 9:42 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 1.49 mi SSW of Eastborough to 2.41 mi SSE of Wichita
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$100
Crop damage
$100
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.680, -97.260

Street flooding was reported across portions of South Wichita. the most significant was around Pawnee and Oliver Streets and also in the City of Haysville. An amateur radio operator reported 1.75 inches of rainfall.

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 8:33 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 1.22 mi ESE of Haverhill
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.673, -96.859

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When
June 15, 8:47 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 2 mi S of Haverhill
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.651, -96.881

Reported by law enforcement near 120th and Haverhill Road.

Heavy Rain, Sedgwick

When
June 15, 8:47 PM CST
Where
Sedgwick County, 2.82 mi S of Wichita
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
37.660, -97.340

Amatuer radio operator reported 1.75 inches of rainfall.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When
June 15, 8:55 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 2.74 mi E of Douglass
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.520, -96.970

The winds knocked down ten inch diameter tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When
June 15, 9:04 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 0.55 mi E of Douglass
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
37.520, -97.010

The winds uprooted a 60 foot tall, 2 foot diameter tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When
June 15, 9:20 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 2.13 mi ESE of Leon to 2.18 mi ESE of Leon
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.668, -96.744

A double wide mobile home lost half its roof that caused the walls to collapse. The damage left a 100 foot long debris field along Pawnee Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Woodson

When
June 15, 10:00 PM CST
Where
Woodson County, 0.88 mi SW of Yates Center
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.870, -95.740

Trained spotter reported small trees downed with power outages in Yates Center.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When
June 15, 10:10 PM CST
Where
Allen County, 0.22 mi NNE of Gas
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.923, -95.348

Trained spotter reported 60 mph winds.

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 10:18 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 7.25 mi NNW of El Dorado Res
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.970, -96.860

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 10:21 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 0.55 mi E of El Dorado
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.820, -96.860

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 10:21 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 7.25 mi NNW of El Dorado Res
Measured
1.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
37.970, -96.860

Hail, Butler

When
June 15, 10:39 PM CST
Where
Butler County, 0.88 mi NW of Cassoday
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
38.040, -96.640

Heavy Rain, Rice

When
June 15, 11:02 PM CST to June 16, 1:02 AM CST
Where
Rice County, 0.54 mi E of Little River
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.400, -98.010

Trained spotter measured 3 inches of rainfall.

Hail, Reno

When
June 15, 11:24 PM CST
Where
Reno County, 0.69 mi N of Buhler
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.140, -97.770

Hail, Chase

When
June 16, 1:55 AM CST
Where
Chase County, 1.63 mi W of Cottonwood Falls
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
38.370, -96.560

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When
June 16, 3:20 AM CST
Where
Allen County, 2.29 mi WSW of Humboldt
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.810, -95.470

A trained spotter estimated the winds.

Flash Flood, Barton

When
June 16, 3:39 AM CST to 6:39 AM CST
Where
Barton County, Pawnee Rock to 4.02 mi SE of Pawnee Rock
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$2,000
Crop damage
$100
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.270, -98.980

Water was over Highway 56 southwest of Pawnee Rock.

Flash Flood, Rice

When
June 16, 3:41 AM CST to 6:41 AM CST
Where
Rice County, Lyons to 3.24 mi NE of Lyons
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$2,000
Crop damage
$100
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.350, -98.200

Water was over Highway 14 north of Lyons.

Flash Flood, McPherson

When
June 16, 3:45 AM CST to 7:45 AM CST
Where
McPherson County, 5.95 mi WSW of Inman to 7.29 mi SE of Windom
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$5,000
Crop damage
$100
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.193, -97.869

Several reports of water covered roads in and around McPherson. The flood waters flooded the basketball courts at Challenger Park in McPherson. Rainfall amounts were measured at 3.25 inches.

Flash Flood, Marion

When
June 16, 3:55 AM CST to 6:55 AM CST
Where
Marion County, 6.51 mi E of Goessel to 5.21 mi NE of Marion
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$100
Crop damage
$100
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.250, -97.230

Water was reported over 120th Street.

Flash Flood, Barton

When
June 16, 4:46 AM CST to 6:46 AM CST
Where
Barton County, 3.86 mi E of Ellinwood to 14.59 mi ESE of Ellinwood
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$100
Crop damage
$100
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.360, -98.510

Highway 56 was closed due to high water.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
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.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Kansas in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Kansas, 2009Warnings in Kansas, June 2009

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: 182154, 182155, 182156, 182157, 182158, 182399, 182400, 182434, 182435, 182436, 166670, 166671, 166672, 166675, 166676, 182455, 166677, 166678, 166673, 182403, 182537, 182540, 182539, 166681, 182500, 182541, 182543, 166679, 182506, 182404, 182405, 183419, 182458, 182460, 182510, 183433, 182511, 182166, 182529, 183436, and more.