Storms sweep late July 4 through northeast Kansas, bringing 88 mph winds north of Topeka

Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal
Updated ·2 min read
1

Severe Independence Day thunderstorms swept late Tuesday through northeast Kansas, bringing a report of 88 mph winds in Jackson County, to the north of Topeka. No weather-related injuries were reported.

The Evergy electrical utility reported on its online power outage map that 110 outages affecting 2,810 homes and businesses remained in progress at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday in the Topeka area.

By 9:10 a.m., that total had been reduced to 22 outages affecting 105 Evergy customers in that area.

This graphic posted late Tuesday on the website of the National Weather Service's Topeka office identified areas that were under severe weather watches and warnings.
This graphic posted late Tuesday on the website of the National Weather Service's Topeka office identified areas that were under severe weather watches and warnings.

Where were the 86- and 88-mph winds reported?

The storms entered the area from the northwest at a time when many people were finishing, or had just finished, shooting off their Independence Day fireworks.

The National Weather Service said 88-mph winds were reported at 11:01 p.m., four miles north of Denison in eastern Jackson County.

The weather service said 86 mph winds had been reported at 10:45 p.m., two miles west of Belvue, which is about 33 miles west/northwest of Topeka in Pottawatomie County.

The storms were accompanied by small hail, the weather service said.

Was the annual Spirit of Kansas celebration affected?

No significant storm damage was reported in Shawnee County, its emergency management department said early Wednesday.

The annual Spirit of Kansas celebration at Lake Shawnee concluded before the storm hit, that department said.

It said Shawnee County found itself under a total of five different severe thunderstorm warnings late Tuesday and early Wednesday.

The National Weather Service reported 0.58 inches of rain was recorded between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 3 a.m. Wednesday at the weather service office near Philip Billard Municipal Airport in northeast Topeka.

More: Storm bringing violent winds cuts electrical power to 8,000 Topeka-area homes, businesses

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Severe storms late July 4 hit northeast Kansas, bringing 88 mph winds