NWS confirms two EF-1 tornadoes in Sumner Co. Thursday The National Weather Service has completed its tornado damage survey in Sumner County following severe weather that struck on Thursday night. The assessment identified two separate EF-1 tornadoes that touched down within 11 minutes of each other, both leaving behind damage but no reports of injuries. The first tornado formed at approximately 11:37 p.m. in a field located north of 150th Street South, between South Blackstone and Argonia Road. It measured 360 feet in width and traveled just over one mile to the north and northwest, dissipating after about three minutes. The tornado caused damage to multiple outbuildings, partially destroyed the top of a tank battery, knocked over a pumpjack, and snapped several power poles and a cedar tree. Wind speeds were estimated at 102 miles per hour. The second tornado developed around 11:48 p.m. in a field southeast of West 90th Street South and South Eden Road, approximately 6 miles south of Argonia. It was about 500 feet wide and moved roughly 2 miles over a span of 4 minutes before dissipating. This tornado damaged several outbuildings, displaced hay bales, and toppled multiple headstones at a nearby cemetery. The National Weather Service noted wind damage in other parts of the county as well. Officials stated they plan to continue analyzing data and may refine storm tracks if necessary. The report highlights the localized impact of the tornadoes, emphasizing the need for ongoing assessment to ensure accurate documentation of the event.#national_weather_service #sumner_county #west_90th_street_south #south_eden_road #south_blackstone
Sedgwick County Explains Why Tornado Sirens Sounded With No Warning in Effect Sedgwick County Emergency Management officials provided updated details Friday regarding an incident in which tornado sirens activated in the county despite no active warning being issued. Initially, the county’s emergency manager mentioned a malfunction had caused the sirens to sound during a tornado warning for Sumner County, but later clarified that this explanation was incorrect. The confusion arose when a tornado warning was issued for Sumner County around midnight. As part of a coordinated response, officials in Sumner County activated a siren zone that extended into Sedgwick County to alert residents in areas such as the Kansas Star Casino and the City of Mulvane, which lies on the county line. According to the emergency manager, the sirens were triggered by the storm activity in Sumner County, leading to a chain reaction that activated sirens in Derby and Wichita. However, no formal tornado warning was in effect for Sedgwick County at the time. The county’s emergency management team is investigating the cause of the incident. They emphasized that the contractor responsible for the siren system has since established a separate siren zone specifically for Mulvane and the Kansas Star Casino. This adjustment aims to prevent similar situations in the future by ensuring sirens only activate for areas directly affected by active warnings. Dispatchers from Sedgwick County reported that the storm in Sumner County had inadvertently triggered the siren system, creating a ripple effect across the region. While the incident caused temporary confusion for residents, officials stressed that no immediate danger was posed.#sedgwick_county #sumner_county #kansas_star_casino #city_of_mulvane #derby_wichita
