A complex of thunderstorms moved southeast out of Northwest Kansas into Central and South Central Kansas during the early morning hours of May 8th, 2009.  This complex of thunmderstorms would intensify over South Central Kansas during the morning and become a prolific damaging wind producer.  This swath of damaging winds, (measured at 80 to 100 mph) cut a path of destruction from just north of Wichita, Kansas to Parsons, Kansas. This storm system would continue on into Southern Missouri and eventually Southern Illinois producing widespread damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:04:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: EL DORADO
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

At the El Dorado airport a small plane was flipped and a metal hanger collapsed.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLEN, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:00:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PETROLIA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A vehicle was rolled on the Kansas Turnpike near Cassoday.  One person was injured (direct).

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:04:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: EL DORADO RES
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 60.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Three campers were overturned at the El Dorado Lake state park.  Two unoccupied trailers were overturned.  A third occupied trailer at the Walnut River area of the lake was also rolled over.  Of the two people in the trailer, suffered a minor (direct) head injury.

Hail in GREENWOOD, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:37:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: REECE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm Wind in BARTON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 01:36:00 to 08-MAY-09 01:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEIZER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Estimated by local law enforcement.

Hail in BARTON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 01:44:00 to 08-MAY-09 01:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUNDEE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm Wind in LABETTE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:40:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARSONS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 180.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several large trees were knocked all over town as thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 mph moved through the area.  The storms also knocked down 20 power poles all over town. The strong winds also caused minor roof damage to numerous businesses. The trees and debris fell on houses and cars throughout the town.

Thunderstorm Wind in LABETTE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 06:04:00 to 08-MAY-09 06:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHETOPA
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Numerous trees were knocked down across town from winds estimated at 60 mph.  Some of the trees fell on outbuildings and vehicles damaging them.

Flash Flood in ALLEN, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 07:26:00 to 08-MAY-09 11:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: IOLA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous county roads throughout the county were flooded from 2 to 4 inches of rainfall falling in a very short time period.

Flash Flood in BUTLER, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 06:47:00 to 08-MAY-09 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EL DORADO RES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several county roads were closed in the northern part of the county due to high water.

Flood in MCPHERSON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:28:00 to 08-MAY-09 06:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: INMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Water was over 14th avenue in multiple places.  County roads also flooded around Inman.

Flash Flood in WILSON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 07:27:00 to 08-MAY-09 11:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREDONIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 70.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous county roads were under water from 2 to 4 inches of rainfall in a short period of time.  The worse flooding occurred from Buffalo to Altoona.

Flash Flood in WOODSON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 07:25:00 to 08-MAY-09 11:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: YATES CENTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several county roads were under water during the morning hours due to 2 to 4 inches of rainfall falling in a very short period of time.

Thunderstorm Wind in LABETTE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:42:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARSONS TRI CITY ARP
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in NEOSHO, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:48:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: (CNU)JOHNSON ARPT CH
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in NEOSHO, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:48:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: (CNU)JOHNSON ARPT CH
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in LABETTE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:56:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARSONS
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

The wind was measured at the KSN TV mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind in LABETTE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 06:00:00 to 08-MAY-09 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARSONS TRI CITY ARP
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Hail in WILSON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:07:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREDONIA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flood in MONTGOMERY, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 07:00:00 to 08-MAY-09 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CEDAR BLUFF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Newspaper

Two to four inches of rainfall fell in less than 30 minutes to produce lots of street flooding across Coffeyville.  5 to 10 motorists were stranded when their cars stalled in the high water.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:28:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELK CITY LAKE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several trees were blown down across town from Elk City Lake to Independence.

Thunderstorm Wind in NEOSHO, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:48:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: THAYER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 110.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The towns of Thayer and Galesburg were hit hard by damaging winds estimated at 70 mph.  Numerous large trees were blown down across both towns, with some falling on houses and outbuildings. A few businesses in Thayer had portions of their roofs blown off.  A few mobile homes in rural areas were rolled over with grains bins lifted off their foundations and thrown into the road.

Hail in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 02:57:00 to 08-MAY-09 02:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAIZE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:00:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAIZE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:00:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARK CITY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The hail was penny to quarter size.

Hail in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:06:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAIZE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in HARVEY, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:05:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEDGWICK
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 32.50K
Reported by: Newspaper

Numerous trees were knocked down across town from winds estimated to be 70 to 80 mph.

Flood in MARION, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:16:00 to 08-MAY-09 07:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARION
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.50K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Main street in Marion was flooded for a short time. Numerous county roads were flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:09:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: EL DORADO
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Sustained wind speeds of 59 mph gusting 65 mph from a KSN TV weather lab mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:11:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEON
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Measured wind gust by a KSN TV weather lab mesonet.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:28:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: INDEPENDENCE
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The wind was measured by a KSN TV weatherlab mesonet.

Hail in HARVEY, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:13:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEDGWICK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in RENO, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:20:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOUTH HUTCHINSON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 02:50:00 to 08-MAY-09 02:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAIZE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An off duty National Weather Service employee reported penny to nickel sized hail.

Hail in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 02:54:00 to 08-MAY-09 02:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAIZE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 02:54:00 to 08-MAY-09 02:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAIZE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:47:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAIZE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.80K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Estimated 60 mph winds moved through the area knocking down some tree branches.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:47:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARK CITY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An off duty National Weather Service employee reported estimated wind gusts up to 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:47:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: (AAO) JABARA ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Thunderstorm Wind in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:50:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENWICH
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in BARTON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 02:20:00 to 08-MAY-09 02:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELLINWOOD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flood in BARTON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 02:28:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREAT BEND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Some street flooding was noted across town with rainfall estimated up to 4 inches.

Flood in RICE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 02:55:00 to 08-MAY-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LYONS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Some street flooding was reported in town.

Flood in RICE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 02:55:00 to 08-MAY-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAXMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 290.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Numerous low water crossings or small bridges were washed out due to high water.  Concrete structures were damaged by the raging water with some estimates of 2 to 4 inches of rainfall.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILSON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:51:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW ALBANY
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 510.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A mobile home was blown 40 feet and ended up wrapped around a large tree and was totally demolished.  A 54 year old woman of the home was found in the wreckage and died.  A church in town was totally destroyed and also the town post office was a total loss after it collapsed. Numerous trees were also down across town.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:20:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHERRYVALE
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 49.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees and buildings received serious damage from winds estimated to be 100 mph.  A masonry building and two metal buildings had serious damage.  A tractor trailer was overturned on US 169 on the west side of town and a train was derailed near downtown.  The storm also knocked down numerous large trees, with one such tree trapping a couple in a storm shelter.  The force of the wind also pushed a locomotive down the tracks 40 feet.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:48:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENTON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large swatch of damaging winds moved across the area from Benton to Rosalia including the city of El Dorado with winds measured at 80 mph at the Jefferson elementary school in El Dorado.  Numerous large trees were knocked down in Benton, with a mobile home trailer rolled over east of town.  The Damaging winds destroyed the historic stone silo bearing the name of the town of Towanda.  The damaging winds estimated at 70 to 80 mph moved into El Dorado damaging roofs to numerous businesses in downtown and knocking down numerous large trees.  Two or three schools in El Dorado had their roofs partially peeled off. The refinery in El Dorado had some large storage tanks dented. The damaging winds continued to move east downing almost every one of the large transmission lines along US 54 highway from El Dorado to Rosalia.

Flash Flood in GREENWOOD, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 06:00:00 to 08-MAY-09 10:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUREKA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Three to four inches of rainfall produced widespread flooding of county roads and street flooding in the towns of Madison and Eureka.  Most of the rain feel within a two hour period in the morning.  The rainfall fell so hard and so fast that schools in Madison were cancelled.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARVEY, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:00:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: HALSTEAD
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 177.50K
Reported by: Newspaper

Extensive damage occurred across town with numerous large trees down and power poles down. Some roof, fence and vehicle damage was also reported across town from winds estimated between 70 and 80 mph.  A local plant had a large door torn from its rail and railroad crossing arms on Main street were damaged.  Nearly 500 homes lost power from the storm.

Flood in RENO, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:00:00 to 08-MAY-09 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOUTH HUTCHINSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several roads were washed out from what was reported as a gully washer of rainfall. 3 to 4 bridges experienced heavy damage and one was completely washed out. A rain gauge in Pleasantville, Kansas reported almost 2 inches of rainfall with some estimates up to 4 inches.

Thunderstorm Wind in LABETTE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 06:04:00 to 08-MAY-09 06:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSWEGO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Numerous trees were knocked down across town as winds estimated around 60 mph moved across the area.  The trees fell on outbuildings and vehicles causing damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREENWOOD, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:37:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: REECE
Magnitude: 80.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Sherrif deputy reported estimated wind speeds of 80 mph with half inch size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in ELK, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:55:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONGTON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 180.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An estimated 80 mph winds knocked down 6 barns, and broke several trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in RENO, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:20:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOUTH HUTCHINSON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds were estimated by spotters along Kansas Highway 96.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILSON, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:20:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: FREDONIA
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 120.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winds speeds of 80 to 90 mph produced widespread wind damage across  Fredonia and Altoona.  Numerous businesses in Fredonia had some serious roof damage.  Sheds and outbuildings in rural areas were destroyed and 42 power poles were downed.

Flood in CHASE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:08:00 to 08-MAY-09 11:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATFIELD GREEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Three to four inches of rainfall caused flooding across the county.  Numerous low water crossings were flooded with portions of the Kansas Turnpike near mile post 101 closed because of high water.

Thunderstorm Wind in LABETTE, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 05:45:00 to 08-MAY-09 05:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALTAMONT
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees and power poles were knocked down by winds estimated at 80 mph.  Outbuildings were damaged by falling trees throughout town.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:04:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: EL DORADO
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Report from a KSN Weather Lab Mesonet.

Hail in RENO, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 03:10:00 to 08-MAY-09 03:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARTRIDGE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, KANSAS
From 08-MAY-09 04:07:00 to 08-MAY-09 04:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: EL DORADO
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

From a KSN TV weather lab mesonet.