Severe weather systems wreaked havoc across the central United States on Tuesday, April 16th, spawning tornadoes in Kansas and Iowa. One such twister, rated EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, caused damage and injuries near the northeastern Kansas town of Richland.
The National Weather Service reported that the tornado touched down shortly after 6:00 am and remained on the ground for roughly 20 minutes, reaching wind speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Tragically, two people were injured when their RV was flipped over by the high winds. Details concerning the extent of their injuries were not immediately available.
The town of Richland bore the brunt of the storm's fury. Buildings sustained damage, while trees were uprooted and strewn across the landscape. The neighboring town of Overbrook also reported damages.
In central Iowa, another tornado struck a rural area of Dallas County. While there were no immediate reports of injuries, a barn was completely demolished, and other buildings were significantly damaged. Large hail, reported to be the size of ping pong balls, pelted the town of Bloomfield, just north of the Missouri border.
The National Weather Service had issued severe weather warnings throughout Tuesday, predicting thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail across Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and northwestern Illinois. The possibility of isolated storms extended to the mid-South region as well.
The impact of the storms was not limited to potential injuries and property damage. Disruptions to travel were also reported. Chicago-bound American Eagle Flight 3661 was forced to return to Kansas City International Airport shortly after takeoff due to a suspected lightning strike. Passengers were eventually placed on different flights after maintenance crews inspected the aircraft for damage.
Similarly, strong winds associated with the storms toppled a camper and ripped the roof off a building near Smithville Lake in western Missouri, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Department. Several communities near Kansas City also reported downed trees and power lines.
As of Tuesday evening, emergency crews were assessing the damage and providing assistance to those affected. The extent of the destruction and the total cost of repairs are still being evaluated.