A deep low pressure system brought strong gradient winds through central and eastern Kansas on Monday, March 23rd.  Strong gradient winds were enhanced by a low level jet core of 65 knots 2,000 ft. off of the surface.  These strong synoptic conditions combined to bring widespread wind damage across the Topeka County Warning Area.  Wind gusts frequently climbed to 60 mph, and highest gusts topped out above 70 mph, without the presence of convection.  Newspaper reports noted several semi-truck drivers driving along Interstate 70 between Ellsworth and Riley Counties were injured when their vehicles overturned.  Only one injury of such was confirmed to have occurred in the Topeka county warning area, five miles west of Topeka. Several newspaper reports noted debris flying around in cities and towns across the area.

High Wind in OSAGE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 13:46:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:46:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A large tree was blown down between 4th and 5th streets in Osage City.  The tree knocked down power lines.

High Wind in WASHINGTON, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 13:30:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Roof shingles were loosened and the chimney cap was blown off.

High Wind in CLOUD, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 13:06:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:06:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Law enforcement reported the city of Concordia is without power.  A measured wind gust.

High Wind in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:45:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A semi truck was blown over near mile marker 353 on Interstate 70.

High Wind in CLAY, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:15:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The roof was blown off of a pole shed.

High Wind in DICKINSON, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:38:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:38:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Measured with home equipment.  Previous wind gusts did damage to the gutters of the home.

High Wind in OTTAWA, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 10:50:00 to 23-MAR-09 10:50:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The roof was rolled up on a residence.  The plywood roof was exposed on a building in Minneapolis.

High Wind in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:37:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:37:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Measured wind gust.

High Wind in REPUBLIC, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:24:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:24:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Power lines were downed in Belleville.

High Wind in CLOUD, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 09:55:00 to 23-MAR-09 09:55:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A mesured wind gust.

High Wind in WABAUNSEE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 10:53:00 to 23-MAR-09 10:53:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Measured with home equipment.

High Wind in GEARY, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 11:55:00 to 23-MAR-09 11:55:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A measured wind gust.

High Wind in JEFFERSON, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 13:04:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:04:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A sign was blown off of the roof of a building and traveled through the window of an adjacent building.  No injuries reported.

High Wind in JEFFERSON, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 13:40:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A portion of a barn roof was blown off at US 59 and 150th st.

High Wind in RILEY, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 09:52:00 to 23-MAR-09 09:52:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A measured wind gust.

High Wind in RILEY, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:45:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several street signs have been blown down in the county.

High Wind in CLOUD, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The middle school roof in Concordia was partially blown off.  The Sonic drive through bay was blown over into the Super 8 Motel.  Marquee Place Nursing Home roof was damaged.

High Wind in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 15:31:00 to 23-MAR-09 15:31:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Measured wind gust.

High Wind in BROWN, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 17:13:00 to 23-MAR-09 17:13:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tree limbs were downed and a gas grill was blown across the spotter's yard.

High Wind in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 15:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Powerlines were downed by non thunderstorm winds at 33rd and Adams st. in Topeka.

High Wind in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 16:31:00 to 23-MAR-09 16:31:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Some singles were blown off a spotter's residence.  Tree limbs were also downed.

High Wind in DOUGLAS, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 16:43:00 to 23-MAR-09 16:43:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several powerlines were downed throughout Douglas County. Within the city of Lawrence, powerlines were blown down near the intersection of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive.  More than 1,600 people were left without power.

High Wind in WABAUNSEE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 16:14:00 to 23-MAR-09 16:14:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An 8 inch live tree limb was blown down.

High Wind in NEMAHA, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 12:30:00 to 23-MAR-09 12:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A box trailer was blown off of Highway 36.

High Wind in DICKINSON, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:15:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Numerous power poles were snapped, and the roof was blown off of a mobile home. Street signs, and roofs were also damaged by the high winds. In Herington, wind gusts were estimated to top out near 60mph. A downtown business had an upper story window blown out by the strong winds.

High Wind in CLAY, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:20:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:20:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several large trees were blown down.  The roof was blown off of a building.  Hog sheds south of Clay Center and metal utility sheds were blown into power lines. Sporadic power outages were reported by the local Electric Cooperative.

High Wind in JACKSON, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 12:30:00 to 23-MAR-09 12:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A tree was blown down in the county.

High Wind in WASHINGTON, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:45:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A power pole was snapped in half south of Greenleaf.

High Wind in SHAWNEE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:15:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A wind gust blew a semitrailer eastbound on Interstate 70 onto its driver's side. The driver was listed as injured in the accident and taken to the hospital.  It was noted that he had been wearing his seat belt.

High Wind in MARSHALL, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 13:00:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Power lines were blown down just west of Marysville. The roofs of some homes near Bremen had shingles torn off, and tree branches were blown down across the county.

High Wind in DOUGLAS, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:39:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:39:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A measured wind gust.

High Wind in LYON, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 13:45:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:45:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

High winds knocked over a dog's pen, leaving the pet to roam the neighborhood, and a tree in the backyard of an Emporia resident.  The home was on Locust Lane. Time estimated as resident was not at home at the time of occurrence.

Strong Wind in FRANKLIN, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 15:15:00 to 23-MAR-09 15:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

An interviewed police dispatcher noted that strong, non-thunderstorm winds were blowing so strongly that street signs were being blown down. Time estimated.

High Wind in DICKINSON, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 13:04:00 to 23-MAR-09 13:04:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Downed power lines, loss of shingles, large branches downed and street signs were blown over in Abilene. Newspapers also reported that the roof at the Rural Center School was damaged.

High Wind in POTTAWATOMIE, KANSAS
From 23-MAR-09 14:45:00 to 23-MAR-09 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A rural fire station sustained roof damage, the roof was exposed.  Several trees were downed. Notably, a large tree in St. Marys split in half as a result of the high winds, one side of which broke off and came to rest partially on the roof of a duplex on the 800 block of West Mission.