Severe thunderstorms produced large hail, high winds and torrential rainfall across north-central Kansas.  The extremely heavy rain resulted in widespread flooding across Mitchell county.  Before the flooding began, the complex of thunderstorms had a history of producing winds in excess of 60 mph and hail to the size of golf balls.  The largest hail was reported near Damar and Stockton in Rooks county, and around Webber in Jewell county.  Winds of 60 to 80 mph were also reported and caused damage from Smith Center to Glen Elder.  In Smith Center, a roof was torn from a church by the high wind while windows were blown out of a downtown business.  Large tree limbs were reported down in the Glen Elder area.  Electricity was lost to several locations throughout the night.By late evening, radar estimates and reports from around Mitchell county began to paint a picture of torrential rainfall and widespread flooding across the county.  About 8 inches of rain was reported in Beloit, with 8 to 12 inches measured south and east of town.  Water was over Highway 14 south of Beloit.  The road was blocked off for a time.  There were reports of numerous bridges and roads under water or washed out from west of Beloit to the east end of the county along and near the Solomon River.  At the Indian Creek Bridge about 2 miles west of Beloit, a farmer narrowly escaped death as his tractor collapsed the bridge and he was washed into the creek and eventually into the Solomon River.  After being washed downstream by the raging current, the farmer grabbed a hold of some tree branches along the river and pulled himself to safety from the water.  He suffered minor injuries from the ordeal.The Solomon River was out of its banks from west of Beloit downstream to Simpson.  The river crested around 25 feet at Beloit or about 5 feet above flood stage.  The flow recorded by the USGS at Simpson on the eastern Mitchell county line was greater than the flow recorded in 1993.  Throughout Mitchell county, economic losses due to soil erosion, crop flooding and structural damage to farmstead buildings totaled from 1 to 3 million dollars.

Hail in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 17:15:00 to 10-SEP-03 17:15:00 (CST)
Location: DAMAR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 150K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 18:07:00 to 10-SEP-03 18:07:00 (CST)
Location: BURR OAK
Magnitude: 56 EG
Property damage: 10K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 19:45:00 to 10-SEP-03 19:45:00 (CST)
Location: GLEN ELDER
Magnitude: 71 EG
Property damage: 100K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Flash Flood in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 20:45:00 to 11-SEP-03 02:00:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Property damage: 500K
Crop damage: 500K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Flood in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 11-SEP-03 02:00:00 to 12-SEP-03 00:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 500K
Crop damage: 1M
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 17:35:00 to 10-SEP-03 17:35:00 (CST)
Location: OSBORNE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 17:47:00 to 10-SEP-03 17:47:00 (CST)
Location: WEBBER
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 150K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 18:05:00 to 10-SEP-03 18:05:00 (CST)
Location: OSBORNE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 15:44:00 to 10-SEP-03 15:44:00 (CST)
Location: STOCKTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 150K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 16:05:00 to 10-SEP-03 16:05:00 (CST)
Location: AGRA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 16:38:00 to 10-SEP-03 16:38:00 (CST)
Location: ATHOL
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, KANSAS
From 10-SEP-03 16:52:00 to 10-SEP-03 17:02:00 (CST)
Location: SMITH CENTER
Magnitude: 53 MG
Property damage: 100K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER