On May 19, 2024, severe weather brought destructive winds and hail to the Central United States. According to multiple sources, at least three confirmed tornadoes touched down in Kansas. The storms caused significant damage in Russell, where several structures were leveled. Power outages were reported across the state and beyond, affecting over a million customers in Texas and Louisiana following a similar event just days prior. Wind gusts reached up to 100 mph, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. Hail was also reportedly baseball-sized or larger in some areas. The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for several states, including Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. The storms were expected to continue through at least Tuesday with the potential for more tornadoes and destructive winds.
The following is a summary of reports from various sources:
Source 1: KWCH reported three confirmed tornadoes in Kansas on May 19, 2024. Power outages were reported across the state, and there were reports of roofs being blown off in Haven. Wind gusts reached up to 56 mph in Rice County and hail was ping pong ball-sized.
Source 2: KSN reported three confirmed tornadoes across Kansas on May 19, 2024. Power outages were reported, and several structures were damaged in Russell. The Quality Inn in the city sustained significant damage with every window shattered and AC units destroyed. Wind gusts reached up to 80 mph near Wichita.
Source 3: Fox Weather reported that storms with destructive winds, giant hail, and tornadoes hit central US on May 19, 2024. Significant damage was reported in Russell where at least three structures were leveled. Wind gusts reached up to 100 mph and hail was baseball-sized.
Source 4: Yahoo News reported that nearly half a million people in Kansas were at risk for destructive wind gusts and large hail on May 19, 2024. Severe thunderstorms were expected to fire up across portions of Kansas and Oklahoma starting in the late afternoon.
Source 5: CNN reported that at least ten tornadoes had been reported across Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma on May 19, 2024. An extremely dangerous and potentially deadly twister had torn a path into Oklahoma City. About thirty million people across the United States were at risk of severe thunderstorms Sunday.
