A strong upper level disturbance and associated dryline approaching from the west interacted with an unstable air mass in place across the eastern half of Kansas, producing numerous strong to severe thunderstorms from the late afternoon on the 19th into the morning on the 20th over primarily central and north-central Kansas. A handful of relatively weak tornadoes touched down over Russell county, along with up to golfball size hail and 60 mph winds across the area. Additionally, very heavy rainfall produced flash flooding over portions of Russell and Lincoln counties.

Tornado in RUSSELL, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 15:43:00 to 19-MAY-11 15:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: DORRANCE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The tornado was on the ground in open country, causing minor damage to a shed and some trees.

Tornado in RUSSELL, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 15:48:00 to 19-MAY-11 15:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILSON LAKE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The tornado moved over Wilson lake, causing damage to a sail boat.

Tornado in RUSSELL, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 16:15:00 to 19-MAY-11 16:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILSON LAKE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

The tornado touched down briefly over open country.  No damage was reported.

Flash Flood in RUSSELL, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 17:47:00 to 20-MAY-11 08:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALDO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Very heavy rainfall amounts on the order of 4 to 6 inches produced flooding across mainly northern portions of the county. Many roads were flooded, causing several road closures. A road was reportedly partially washed out one-quarter mile east of 194th and Beatty, about 5 miles south of Luray. Any property damage that may have occurred is unknown.

Flash Flood in LINCOLN, KANSAS
From 20-MAY-11 00:22:00 to 21-MAY-11 05:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: SYLVAN GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several rounds of thunderstorms over north-central Kansas from the evening hours on the 19th into the morning hours on the 20th produced very heavy rainfall amounts ranging from 4 to 7 inches across the county. Numerous roads were closed countywide due to high water. In particular, the Spillman Creek west to northwest of Lincoln overflowed its banks, producing widespread flooding in the Denmark area. Any property damage that may have occurred from the flooding is unknown.

Thunderstorm Wind in RUSSELL, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 15:01:00 to 19-MAY-11 15:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILBERGER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Dime size hail occurred with the wind.

Hail in RUSSELL, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 15:23:00 to 19-MAY-11 15:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUNKER HILL
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in RUSSELL, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 15:01:00 to 19-MAY-11 15:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILBERGER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winds estimated at 60 mph occurred with the hail.

Hail in RUSSELL, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 15:36:00 to 19-MAY-11 15:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUNKER HILL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in KINGMAN, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 15:36:00 to 19-MAY-11 15:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURDOCK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in BARTON, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 16:06:00 to 19-MAY-11 16:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREAT BEND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 16:12:00 to 19-MAY-11 16:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: SYLVAN GROVE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winds estimated at 60 mph were observed by a trained spotter.

Thunderstorm Wind in BARTON, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 16:35:00 to 19-MAY-11 16:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREAT BEND ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

Measured by the Great Bend Airport AWOS.

Hail in BARTON, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 17:03:00 to 19-MAY-11 17:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREAT BEND
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in RICE, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 17:22:00 to 19-MAY-11 17:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUSHTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in BARTON, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 17:39:00 to 19-MAY-11 17:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOISINGTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Additionally, storm-total rainfall was measured at 1.08 inches.

Tornado in LINCOLN, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 16:25:00 to 19-MAY-11 16:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SYLVAN GROVE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Brief Touchdown over open country.

Lightning in SEDGWICK, KANSAS
From 20-MAY-11 07:00:00 to 20-MAY-11 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAIZE
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning caused a house fire near 29th and Tyler. The fire was brought under control rather quickly, but still produced quite a bit of damage.

Lightning in KINGMAN, KANSAS
From 19-MAY-11 15:50:00 to 19-MAY-11 15:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURDOCK
Property damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning ignited a large oil tank reservoir several miles west of Cheney in rural Kingman county during the early evening hours on the 19th. Strong southeasterly winds hampered the firefighter's efforts, but they eventually extinguished the large fire later that evening. The Cheney Times-Sentinel contributed to this report.