Flash Flooding and Flooding in Kansas, May 8, 2009

Name: Flash Flooding and Flooding in Kansas, May 8, 2009
Start: 2009-05-08T01:36
End: 2009-05-08T11:27
Location: Kansas

May 8, 2009 · NWS ICT · 60 events in 17 counties and zones

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: 1
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $33 million
Crop damage: $156,000
Events: 60

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 complex of thunderstorms moved southeast out of Northwest Kansas into Central and South Central Kansas during the early morning hours of May 8th, 2009. This complex of thunmderstorms would intensify over South Central Kansas during the morning and become a prolific damaging wind producer. This swath of damaging winds, (measured at 80 to 100 mph) cut a path of destruction from just north of Wichita, Kansas to Parsons, Kansas. This storm system would continue on into Southern Missouri and eventually Southern Illinois producing widespread damage.

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 May 7, 10:32 PM CST, 3 hours 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 7, 10:32 PM CST, 3 hours 4 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
1132 PM CDT THU MAY 7 2009

.AVIATION...06Z TAFS KRSL/KSLN/KHUT/KICT/KCNU
MVFR CIGS/VSBYS WILL DEVELOP OVERNIGHT ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA.
STRONG TO SEVERE CONVECTION WILL ALSO DEVELOP BETWEEN 06Z-09Z
ACROSS WEST CENTRAL INTO PARTS OF SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL
KANSAS. SCATTERED SUPERCELL STORMS ARE INITIALLY EXPECTED WITH
VERY LARGE HAIL POSSIBLE AND LOCALLY DAMAGING WIND GUSTS. THE
CONVECTION IS THEN EXPECTED TO EXPAND INTO A LARGER MESOSCALE
CONVECTIVE COMPLEX TOWARD 12Z...AS IT MOVES FROM SOUTH CENTRAL
INTO PARTS OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND NORTHERN OKLAHOMA. PERIODS OF
IFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITH THE CONVECTION ACROSS SOUTH
CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. WILL
CONTINUE TO SHOW A TEMPO GROUP WITH HAIL AND STRONG WIND GUSTS AT
KICT/KHUT AND KCNU WHEN WE BELIEVE THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY OF THE
CONVECTION WILL AFFECT THE AREA. RELATIVELY SMALLER CHANCES FOR
STORMS ACROSS CENTRAL KANSAS...HOWEVER WILL SHOW A BRIEF TEMPO
PERIOD AS WELL. A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT TO VFR IS EXPECTED ACROSS
MOST AREAS EXCEPT SOUTHEAST KANSAS BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON...WITH VFR
ALL AREAS BY FRIDAY EVENING.

KED

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 831 PM CDT THU MAY 7 2009/

UPDATE...
THE SPIRIT OF THE GOING FORECAST/PREVIOUS DISCUSSION LOOK
TO BE ON TRACK WITH REGARD TO SEVERE RISK LATE TONIGHT INTO
MID-MORNING ON FRIDAY. THE 00Z KOUN SOUNDING SHOWED AN
IMPRESSIVE 4000 J/KG CAPE WITH LFC AROUND 720MB. THIS WOULD
SUPPORT PROGGED MODEL SOUNDINGS OF MOST UNSTABLE/ELEVATED
CAPE VALUES OVER 3000 J/KG DEVELOPING NORTH ACROSS THE BORDER
INTO SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS LATER TONIGHT. CONVERGENCE WILL
INCREASE ALONG THE NOSE OF THE DEVELOPING LOW LEVEL JET
AFTER 06Z...JUST WEST OF THE FORECAST AREA...WITH THIS
FORCING/LIFT SHIFTING INTO SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS AS THE JET
BEGINS TO VEER SLIGHTLY BY 09Z. STRONG DEEP LAYER SHEAR
SHOULD SUPPORT SUPERCELLS WITH VERY LARGE HAIL POSSIBLE AT
THE ONSET ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS. STRONG STORM RELATIVE
INFLOW MAY ALSO SUPPORT THE EVOLUTION INTO MORE OF A FORWARD
PROPAGATING MCS TOWARD AND AFTER 12Z...AS CONVECTION TRACKS
ACROSS THE SOUTHERN FLINT HILLS AND INTO EXTREME SOUTHEAST
KANSAS/NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA. AREAS OF SOUTH CENTRAL AND
SOUTHEAST KANSAS...ESPECIALLY ALONG/SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 400
SEEM TO BE IN THE AREA OF HIGHEST RISK FOR THE DAMAGING HAIL
AND WINDS EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. HOWEVER SOME POTENTIAL A BIT
FURTHER NORTH IS POSSIBLE...SO WILL CONTINUE THE CATEGORY 4
HIGHLIGHT AS SHOWN IN THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK AS FAR
NORTH AS KHUT TO KCNU.

DARMOFAL

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 629 PM CDT THU MAY 7 2009/

AVIATION...00Z TAFS KRSL/KSLN/KHUT/KICT/KCNU
STRONG TO SEVERE CONVECTION IS EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT INTO
FRIDAY MORNING...WITH PREVAILING MVFR CIGS/VSBYS AND PERIODS
OF IFR CONDITIONS. THE POTENTIAL FOR VERY LARGE HAIL AND
STRONG WIND GUSTS WILL EXIST. DEEP LOW LEVEL MOISTURE ACROSS
OKLAHOMA WILL ADVECT INTO SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS
EARLY FRIDAY MORNING IN RESPONSE TO THE LOW LEVEL JET/ELEVATED
LIFT THAT DEVELOPS ACROSS THE AREA. THE AIRMASS WILL BECOME
POTENTIALLY VERY UNSTABLE WITH STRONG DEEP LAYER SHEAR
PRESENT. DISCRETE SUPERCELLS CAPABLE OF VERY LARGE HAIL ARE
EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS AROUND 09Z
AND THEN PROPAGATE/DEVELOP EAST-SOUTHEAST PERHAPS INTO A MORE
ORGANIZED MCS AS IT MOVES INTO SOUTHEAST KANSAS/NORTHEAST
OKLAHOMA AFTER 12Z. HAVE SHOWN A TEMPO GROUP AT KICT/KHUT AND
KCNU WHEN WE BELIEVE THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY OF THE CONVECTION
WILL AFFECT THE AREA. RELATIVELY SMALLER CHANCES FOR STORMS
ACROSS CENTRAL KANSAS AND WILL ONLY SHOW AS VCTS FOR NOW. A
GENERAL IMPROVEMENT TO VFR IS EXPECTED ACROSS MOST AREAS
EXCEPT SOUTHEAST KANSAS BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

KED

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 240 PM CDT THU MAY 7 2009/

DISCUSSION...

MAIN FORECAST CONCERN: SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL THIS PM INTO FRIDAY
MORNING.

TONIGHT-FRIDAY:
WEAK SURFACE FRONT FROM SERN NE INTO NWRN KS WILL SLIDE INTO
CNTRL/S-CNTRL KS BY LATE THIS PM/EARLY EVE IN RESPONSE TO AN UPPER
TROF MOVING ACROSS THE UPR MS VLY. THE SURFACE FRONT BECOMES HARDER TO
IDENTIFY AS THE NIGHT PROGRESSES. SURFACE DEWPOINTS ALREADY IN UPPER
60S AS ANTICIPATED...AND WITH TEMPS CLIMBING TO AROUND 80/LWR
80S...SBCAPES OF 2000-3000J/KG WILL BE IN PLACE LATE THIS PM/EVE.
DEEP LAYER SHEAR LOOKS STRONG AROUND 50 KT. CONVERGENCE ALONG
BOUNDARY STILL LOOKS WEAK IN OUR AREA WITH SOME WEAK CAPPING TO
OVERCOME. SMALL CHANCE FOR AN ISOLATED SUPERCELL TO DEVELOP NEAR THE
BOUNDARY LATE THIS PM/EARLY EVE. THE BETTER THREAT FOR MORE
WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE LATE TONIGHT INTO FRI AM. GFS/NAM
REMAIN CONSISTENT SHOWING A 50KT SRLY LOW-LEVEL JET DEVELOPING
TONIGHT OVER OKLAHOMA...NOSING INTO THE E-W 850 BAROCLINIC ZONE OVER
SRN KS. THIS WILL RESULT IN STRONG MOISTURE
TRANSPORT/INSTABILITY/ISENTROPIC LIFT INTO AND JUST N OF THE FRONTAL
ZONE OVER SRN KS. IMPRESSIVE ELEVATED CAPES OF 2500-3500
J/KG...EFFECTIVE SHEAR OF 45-55 KT...STEEP LAPSE RATES IN THE
FAVORABLE HAIL GROWTH REGION WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF SUPERCELLS WITH
GIANT HAIL FOR AT LEAST A FEW HOURS. AS THE LOW-LEVEL JET VEERS EARLY
FRI AM...MODELS HINT THAT AN MCS MAY FORM AS THE ACTIVITY CONGEALS
AND MOVES THRU SERN KS/NERN OK. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOCALLY HEAVY
RAINFALL/STRONG WINDS IN ADDITION TO STILL SOME LARGE HAIL. WILL ISSUE
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR SRN PORTIONS OF FLINT HILLS/SERN KS FOR
LATE TONIGHT/FRI AM. THINK T-STORM CHANCES WILL DIMINISH NW-SE
ACROSS AREA DURING DAY FRIDAY BEHIND MCS AS IT CONTINUES TO TRACK
E-SEWD. A SURGE OF COOLER/DRIER AIR WILL ARRIVE FRI PM/EVE IN
RESPONSE TO NEXT SHORTWAVE TROF SWEEPING ACROSS THE NRN PLAINS.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY:
MODEL DATA STILL SUPPORTS KEEPING SATURDAY DRY WITH SOME MID-HIGH
LEVEL CLOUDINESS. RELATIVELY LIGHT NERLY WINDS AND HIGHS IN LOW 70S
COULD MAKE FOR NICE DAY. GFS/ECMWF BOTH CONTINUE TO PROG A WEAK
SHORTWAVE EJECTING OUT OF NRN/CNTRL ROCKIES ACROSS CNTRL PLAINS SUN.
THIS WAVE WILL ELICIT DEEP ISENTROPIC LIFT OVER DRIER LOW-LEVELS.
MID-LEVEL LAPSE RATES AND DEGREE OF LIFT SUPPORTIVE OF ELEVATED
CONVECTION AND SLIGHT CHANCE POPS. QPF WOULD BE VERY LIGHT.

MONDAY-THURSDAY:
TREND WILL BE FOR UPPER TROFFING TO DEVELOP FROM THE NWRN INTO THE
N-CNTRL CONUS AND ADJACENT AREAS OF CANADA DURING THIS PERIOD. LEE
TROUGH DEVELOPMENT WILL RESULT MON-TUES...WITH GUSTY SOUTHERLY FLOW
ON TUESDAY. TEMPERATURES WILL WARM THROUGH MID WEEK. AT LEAST LOW
PROBABILITIES EXIST FOR ELEVATED CONVECTION MON NGT AREAWIDE AND 850
MOISTURE SURGES N-NEWD BACK INTO AREA VIA THETA-E ADVECTION. WILL
KEEP TUES DRY EVEN WITH DRYLINE OVER HIGH PLAINS GIVEN VERY WARM
MID-LEVEL TEMPS. NEXT DECENT CHANCE T-STORMS WILL BE WED-THURS AS
THE GFS AND ECMWF SHOW A COLD FRONT DROPPING INTO KS.

JMC

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
WICHITA-KICT    64  74  53  72 /  70  60  20  10
HUTCHINSON      61  74  51  71 /  60  40  20  10
NEWTON          62  74  52  72 /  50  50  20  10
ELDORADO        63  74  53  72 /  70  60  20  10
WINFIELD-KWLD   64  76  54  72 /  70  60  30  10
RUSSELL         57  73  47  71 /  50  20  10  10
GREAT BEND      57  74  49  71 /  50  20  10  10
SALINA          60  73  51  72 /  40  20  10  10
MCPHERSON       60  74  52  71 /  50  30  10  10
COFFEYVILLE     64  76  56  72 /  70  70  30  10
CHANUTE         63  74  54  72 /  60  70  20  10
IOLA            63  74  53  71 /  50  70  20  10
PARSONS-KPPF    64  75  55  72 /  70  70  30  10

&&

.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING FOR KSZ093>096-098>100.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, May 7, 8:31 PM CST, 5 hours 5 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
931 PM CDT THU MAY 7 2009

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-090245-
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-
931 PM CDT THU MAY 7 2009

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

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

SCATTERED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AFTER
MIDNIGHT ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE
OF PRODUCING VERY LARGE HAIL UP TO BASEBALL SIZE AND POSSIBLY
DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. THE STORMS WILL MOVE EASTWARD INTO
SOUTHEAST KANSAS DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS FRIDAY WHILE
MERGING INTO A COMPLEX OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. THE MAIN THREATS
FROM THIS STORM COMPLEX WILL BE LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WIND
GUSTS...AND LOCALLY VERY HEAVY RAINFALL. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN
EFFECT FOR EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WILL BE ONGOING FRIDAY MORNING ACROSS
PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS...AND ARE
EXPECTED TO PUSH EAST AS THE NOON HOUR APPROACHES. LARGE
HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE THE MAIN
THREATS.

THERE WILL BE A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR STORMS SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH
SUNDAY NIGHT ACROSS MUCH OF THE FORECAST AREA AND THEN AGAIN ON
WEDNESDAY. THESE STORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE STRONG OR SEVERE.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED LATE TONIGHT INTO
FRIDAY MORNING...ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST
KANSAS.

&&

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

KED/JMC

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 8, 12:41 AM CST, 55 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
141 AM CDT FRI MAY 8 2009

KSZ032-047-080730-
BARTON-RUSSELL-
141 AM CDT FRI MAY 8 2009

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ALERT FOR WESTERN BARTON AND WESTERN RUSSELL COUNTIES...

AT 138 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE TRACKING
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 17 MILES NORTHWEST
OF VICTORIA TO 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF VICTORIA TO 33 MILES WEST OF
OTIS...AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS OF 60 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH
THESE STORMS.

PEOPLE IN WESTERN RUSSELL AND WESTERN BARTON COUNTIES...SHOULD
MONITOR THE WEATHER SITUATION CLOSELY. A WARNING MAY BE NEEDED IF THE
STORMS ACROSS RUSH AND ELLIS COUNTIES REMAIN SEVERE AND MOVE INTO
THE AREA. BE READY TO SEEK SHELTER IF SEVERE WEATHER THREATENS.

DARMOFAL

Special weather statement, May 8, 1:01 AM CST, 35 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
201 AM CDT FRI MAY 8 2009

KSZ032-047-080730-
BARTON-RUSSELL-
201 AM CDT FRI MAY 8 2009

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ALERT FOR BARTON AND RUSSELL COUNTIES...

AT 159 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF
GALATIA TO 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ALBERT TO 20 MILES WEST OF LARNED...
AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

DIME SIZE HAIL...AND WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE
STORMS.

BE PREPARED TO TAKE SHELTER IN THE EVENT THESE STORMS INTENSIFY AND
BECOME SEVERE, OR A WARNING IS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE.

DARMOFAL

Special weather statement, May 8, 1:33 AM CST, 3 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS
233 AM CDT FRI MAY 8 2009

KSZ050-051-080800-
MCPHERSON-RICE-
233 AM CDT FRI MAY 8 2009

...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ALERT FOR MCPHERSON AND RICE COUNTIES...

AT 231 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM RAYMOND TO
MOUNDRIDGE...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

DIME SIZE HAIL IS EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.

BE PREPARED TO TAKE SHELTER IN THE EVENT THESE STORMS INTENSIFY AND
BECOME SEVERE, OR A WARNING IS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE.

DARMOFAL

The radar

The Dodge City radar (KDDC), 120 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:37 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

33 thunderstorm wind, 14 hail, 8 flood, 5 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barton

When: May 8, 1:36 AM CST
Where: Barton County, 2.63 mi SE of Heizer
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.390, -98.850

Estimated by local law enforcement.

Hail, Barton

When: May 8, 1:44 AM CST
Where: Barton County, 3.51 mi NW of Dundee
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.360, -98.920

Hail, Barton

When: May 8, 2:20 AM CST
Where: Barton County, 0.69 mi N of Ellinwood
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.360, -98.580

Flood, Barton

When: May 8, 2:28 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Barton County, 2.27 mi WSW of Great Bend to 1.81 mi S of Great Bend
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100
Crop damage: $100
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.360, -98.810

Some street flooding was noted across town with rainfall estimated up to 4 inches.

Hail, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 2:50 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 3.45 mi S of Maize
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.720, -97.470

An off duty National Weather Service employee reported penny to nickel sized hail.

Hail, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 2:54 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 2.76 mi S of Maize
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.730, -97.470

Hail, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 2:54 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 3.5 mi S of Maize
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.720, -97.460

Flood, Rice

When: May 8, 2:55 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where: Rice County, Lyons to 0.57 mi SSE of Lyons
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100
Crop damage: $100
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 38.350, -98.200

Some street flooding was reported in town.

Flood, Rice

When: May 8, 2:55 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where: Rice County, 1.1 mi S of Saxman to 5.68 mi S of Saxman
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $290,000
Crop damage: $50,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 38.264, -98.118

Numerous low water crossings or small bridges were washed out due to high water. Concrete structures were damaged by the raging water with some estimates of 2 to 4 inches of rainfall.

Hail, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 2:57 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 3.5 mi S of Maize
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.720, -97.460

Flood, Reno

When: May 8, 3:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where: Reno County, 2.41 mi ESE of South Hutchinson to 2.99 mi N of Haven
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Crop damage: $50,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 38.021, -97.877

Several roads were washed out from what was reported as a gully washer of rainfall. 3 to 4 bridges experienced heavy damage and one was completely washed out. A rain gauge in Pleasantville, Kansas reported almost 2 inches of rainfall with some estimates up to 4 inches.

Hail, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 3.5 mi S of Maize
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.720, -97.480

Hail, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 3.2 mi WSW of Park City
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.775, -97.369

The hail was penny to quarter size.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harvey

When: May 8, 3:00 AM CST to 3:17 AM CST
Where: Harvey County, 0.48 mi WNW of Halstead to 1.46 mi E of Halstead
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $178,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 38.004, -97.527

Extensive damage occurred across town with numerous large trees down and power poles down. Some roof, fence and vehicle damage was also reported across town from winds estimated between 70 and 80 mph. A local plant had a large door torn from its rail and railroad crossing arms on Main street were damaged. Nearly 500 homes lost power from the storm.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harvey

When: May 8, 3:05 AM CST to 3:16 AM CST
Where: Harvey County, 0.08 mi W of Sedgwick to 1.09 mi ESE of Sedgwick
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $33,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.920, -97.431

Numerous trees were knocked down across town from winds estimated to be 70 to 80 mph.

Hail, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 3:06 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 1.85 mi SE of Maize
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.752, -97.445

Hail, Reno

When: May 8, 3:10 AM CST
Where: Reno County, 2.81 mi ENE of Partridge
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.980, -98.030

Hail, Harvey

When: May 8, 3:13 AM CST
Where: Harvey County, Sedgwick
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.920, -97.430

Flood, Marion

When: May 8, 3:16 AM CST to 7:16 AM CST
Where: Marion County, 2.23 mi SW of Marion to 3.23 mi NW of Marion
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $500
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.324, -97.045

Main street in Marion was flooded for a short time. Numerous county roads were flooded.

Hail, Reno

When: May 8, 3:20 AM CST
Where: Reno County, 4 mi SSW of South Hutchinson
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.974, -97.939

Thunderstorm Wind, Reno

When: May 8, 3:20 AM CST
Where: Reno County, 3.96 mi SSW of South Hutchinson
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.975, -97.939

Winds were estimated by spotters along Kansas Highway 96.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 3:47 AM CST to 3:57 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 2.97 mi SSE of Maize
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $800
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.730, -97.450

Estimated 60 mph winds moved through the area knocking down some tree branches.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 3:47 AM CST to 4:01 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 3.19 mi WSW of Park City
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.775, -97.369

An off duty National Weather Service employee reported estimated wind gusts up to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 3:47 AM CST to 4:01 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, (Aao) Jabara Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.750, -97.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: May 8, 3:48 AM CST to 4:11 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 2.6 mi N of Benton to 0.19 mi N of Rosalia
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.817, -97.113

A large swatch of damaging winds moved across the area from Benton to Rosalia including the city of El Dorado with winds measured at 80 mph at the Jefferson elementary school in El Dorado. Numerous large trees were knocked down in Benton, with a mobile home trailer rolled over east of town. The Damaging winds destroyed the historic stone silo bearing the name of the town of Towanda. The damaging winds estimated at 70 to 80 mph moved into El Dorado damaging roofs to numerous businesses in downtown and knocking down numerous large trees. Two or three schools in El Dorado had their roofs partially peeled off. The refinery in El Dorado had some large storage tanks dented. The damaging winds continued to move east downing almost every one of the large transmission lines along US 54 highway from El Dorado to Rosalia.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sedgwick

When: May 8, 3:50 AM CST to 4:01 AM CST
Where: Sedgwick County, 2.29 mi ENE of Greenwich
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.790, -97.160

Thunderstorm Wind, Allen

When: May 8, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Allen County, 66.79 mi WNW of Petrolia
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.049, -96.635

A vehicle was rolled on the Kansas Turnpike near Cassoday. One person was injured (direct).

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: May 8, 4:04 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 0.2 mi ENE of El Dorado
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.821, -96.867

Report from a KSN Weather Lab Mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: May 8, 4:04 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 4.25 mi SE of El Dorado
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.775, -96.818

At the El Dorado airport a small plane was flipped and a metal hanger collapsed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: May 8, 4:04 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 2.11 mi ESE of El Dorado Res to 3.13 mi SE of El Dorado Res
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.855, -96.787

Three campers were overturned at the El Dorado Lake state park. Two unoccupied trailers were overturned. A third occupied trailer at the Walnut River area of the lake was also rolled over. Of the two people in the trailer, suffered a minor (direct) head injury.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: May 8, 4:07 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 0.21 mi ENE of El Dorado
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.821, -96.867

From a KSN TV weather lab mesonet.

Hail, Wilson

When: May 8, 4:07 AM CST
Where: Wilson County, Fredonia
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.530, -95.820

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: May 8, 4:09 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 0.21 mi ENE of El Dorado
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.822, -96.867

Sustained wind speeds of 59 mph gusting 65 mph from a KSN TV weather lab mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: May 8, 4:11 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 0.49 mi WNW of Leon
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.683, -96.788

Measured wind gust by a KSN TV weather lab mesonet.

Flood, McPherson

When: May 8, 4:28 AM CST to 6:28 AM CST
Where: McPherson County, Inman to 2.45 mi SSW of Elyria
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100
Crop damage: $100
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.230, -97.770

Water was over 14th avenue in multiple places. County roads also flooded around Inman.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greenwood

When: May 8, 4:37 AM CST
Where: Greenwood County, 1.38 mi N of Reece
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.820, -96.450

Sherrif deputy reported estimated wind speeds of 80 mph with half inch size hail.

Hail, Greenwood

When: May 8, 4:37 AM CST
Where: Greenwood County, 1.38 mi N of Reece
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.820, -96.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilson

When: May 8, 4:51 AM CST to 5:12 AM CST
Where: Wilson County, 0.89 mi W of New Albany to 0.19 mi SSW of New Albany
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $510,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.571, -95.946

A mobile home was blown 40 feet and ended up wrapped around a large tree and was totally demolished. A 54 year old woman of the home was found in the wreckage and died. A church in town was totally destroyed and also the town post office was a total loss after it collapsed. Numerous trees were also down across town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Elk

When: May 8, 4:55 AM CST to 5:10 AM CST
Where: Elk County, 9.26 mi N of Longton to 9.75 mi NE of Longton
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $180,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.513, -96.100

An estimated 80 mph winds knocked down 6 barns, and broke several trees.

Flood, Chase

When: May 8, 5:08 AM CST to 11:08 AM CST
Where: Chase County, 3 mi SE of Matfield Green to 4.8 mi ENE of Cedar Pt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Crop damage: $30,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 38.140, -96.530

Three to four inches of rainfall caused flooding across the county. Numerous low water crossings were flooded with portions of the Kansas Turnpike near mile post 101 closed because of high water.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilson

When: May 8, 5:20 AM CST to 5:35 AM CST
Where: Wilson County, 2.44 mi WNW of Fredonia to 3.52 mi E of Altoona
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $120,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.544, -95.861

Winds speeds of 80 to 90 mph produced widespread wind damage across Fredonia and Altoona. Numerous businesses in Fredonia had some serious roof damage. Sheds and outbuildings in rural areas were destroyed and 42 power poles were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 8, 5:20 AM CST to 5:30 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 1.52 mi WNW of Cherryvale to 1.99 mi E of Cherryvale
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.278, -95.576

Numerous trees and buildings received serious damage from winds estimated to be 100 mph. A masonry building and two metal buildings had serious damage. A tractor trailer was overturned on US 169 on the west side of town and a train was derailed near downtown. The storm also knocked down numerous large trees, with one such tree trapping a couple in a storm shelter. The force of the wind also pushed a locomotive down the tracks 40 feet.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 8, 5:28 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 1.08 mi ENE of Independence
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.238, -95.703

The wind was measured by a KSN TV weatherlab mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 8, 5:28 AM CST to 5:38 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 1.62 mi SE of Elk City Lake to 2.23 mi ESE of Independence
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.251, -95.782

Several trees were blown down across town from Elk City Lake to Independence.

Thunderstorm Wind, Labette

When: May 8, 5:40 AM CST to 5:50 AM CST
Where: Labette County, 1.76 mi W of Parsons to 2.43 mi SE of Parsons
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $180,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.354, -95.302

Several large trees were knocked all over town as thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 mph moved through the area. The storms also knocked down 20 power poles all over town. The strong winds also caused minor roof damage to numerous businesses. The trees and debris fell on houses and cars throughout the town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Labette

When: May 8, 5:42 AM CST
Where: Labette County, 0.55 mi E of Parsons Tri City Arp
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.330, -95.510

Thunderstorm Wind, Labette

When: May 8, 5:45 AM CST to 5:55 AM CST
Where: Labette County, 0.51 mi WSW of Altamont to 1.25 mi SE of Altamont
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.197, -95.308

Numerous trees and power poles were knocked down by winds estimated at 80 mph. Outbuildings were damaged by falling trees throughout town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Neosho

When: May 8, 5:48 AM CST
Where: Neosho County, 0.55 mi W of (Cnu)johnson Arpt Ch
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.670, -95.490

Thunderstorm Wind, Neosho

When: May 8, 5:48 AM CST
Where: Neosho County, 0.55 mi W of (Cnu)johnson Arpt Ch
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.670, -95.490

Thunderstorm Wind, Neosho

When: May 8, 5:48 AM CST to 5:55 AM CST
Where: Neosho County, 0.93 mi NNW of Thayer to 0.32 mi ENE of Galesburg
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $110,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.493, -95.485

The towns of Thayer and Galesburg were hit hard by damaging winds estimated at 70 mph. Numerous large trees were blown down across both towns, with some falling on houses and outbuildings. A few businesses in Thayer had portions of their roofs blown off. A few mobile homes in rural areas were rolled over with grains bins lifted off their foundations and thrown into the road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Labette

When: May 8, 5:56 AM CST
Where: Labette County, 0.76 mi SW of Parsons
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.341, -95.278

The wind was measured at the KSN TV mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind, Labette

When: May 8, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Labette County, 0.55 mi E of Parsons Tri City Arp
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.330, -95.510

Flash Flood, Greenwood

When: May 8, 6:00 AM CST to 10:15 AM CST
Where: Greenwood County, 0.55 mi E of Eureka to 4.56 mi NE of Walton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Crop damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.820, -96.290

Three to four inches of rainfall produced widespread flooding of county roads and street flooding in the towns of Madison and Eureka. Most of the rain feel within a two hour period in the morning. The rainfall fell so hard and so fast that schools in Madison were cancelled.

Thunderstorm Wind, Labette

When: May 8, 6:04 AM CST to 6:10 AM CST
Where: Labette County, 1.86 mi W of Oswego to 0.6 mi SSE of Oswego
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.174, -95.133

Numerous trees were knocked down across town as winds estimated around 60 mph moved across the area. The trees fell on outbuildings and vehicles causing damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Labette

When: May 8, 6:04 AM CST to 6:10 AM CST
Where: Labette County, 1.96 mi WNW of Chetopa to 0.26 mi NNE of Chetopa
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.044, -95.111

Numerous trees were knocked down across town from winds estimated at 60 mph. Some of the trees fell on outbuildings and vehicles damaging them.

Flash Flood, Butler

When: May 8, 6:47 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where: Butler County, 5.51 mi N of El Dorado Res to 4.96 mi NE of Potwin
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.950, -96.816

Several county roads were closed in the northern part of the county due to high water.

Flood, Montgomery

When: May 8, 7:00 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 2.14 mi W of Cedar Bluff to 1.61 mi ENE of Cedar Bluff
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $100
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 37.081, -95.689

Two to four inches of rainfall fell in less than 30 minutes to produce lots of street flooding across Coffeyville. 5 to 10 motorists were stranded when their cars stalled in the high water.

Flash Flood, Woodson

When: May 8, 7:25 AM CST to 11:25 AM CST
Where: Woodson County, 0.88 mi SW of Yates Center to 3.33 mi E of Yates Center
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100
Crop damage: $100
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.870, -95.740

Several county roads were under water during the morning hours due to 2 to 4 inches of rainfall falling in a very short period of time.

Flash Flood, Allen

When: May 8, 7:26 AM CST to 11:26 AM CST
Where: Allen County, 0.69 mi N of Iola to 2.72 mi NNE of Gas
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $35,000
Crop damage: $100
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.930, -95.400

Numerous county roads throughout the county were flooded from 2 to 4 inches of rainfall falling in a very short time period.

Flash Flood, Wilson

When: May 8, 7:27 AM CST to 11:27 AM CST
Where: Wilson County, Fredonia to 2.09 mi E of Altoona
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $70,000
Crop damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.530, -95.820

Numerous county roads were under water from 2 to 4 inches of rainfall in a short period of time. The worse flooding occurred from Buffalo to Altoona.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Thunderstorm Wind, Wilson	2009-05-08	54	Female	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct

What these are

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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

Every storm in Kansas in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, May 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: 171944, 171945, 171946, 171952, 171969, 171970, 171971, 171956, 171958, 171972, 171955, 171973, 171974, 171977, 171979, 171975, 171953, 171959, 172002, 171962, 171964, 171994, 171996, 171997, 172553, 171999, 172555, 172033, 172554, 172556, 172034, 172561, 172035, 172036, 172701, 172557, 172558, 172562, 172560, 172559, and more.