Thunderstorms developed early this Wednesday afternoon and evening, and predominantly produced tornadoes and flash flooding. Five tornadoes occurred over Jewell County. With no cap in place, scattered thunderstorms began developing as early as the noon hour over north central Kansas. Most storms rapidly became supercellular. These supercells began producing severe weather by 330 p.m. CDT. It was about this time that a short line formed from the Jewell-Smith County line south into Osborne County. Supercells were embedded within this line and several discrete supercells developed ahead of it over Mitchell and Jewell counties. Eventually, an MCS developed. The leading edge of the cold pool becoming stationary, with new storms repeatedly developing over north central Kansas and further downstream into southeastern Nebraska. Cell training produced a swath of 4-8 inches of rain over portions of Jewell County. The highest amount reported was 7.92 inches near Webber.
A complex low pressure system extended from the Canadian Prairies into the western United States. These storms developed in the warm sector, far away from any discernible surface boundaries. However, an axis of confluence was present over north central Kansas. A deep upper-level trough was over the western U.S., with a ridge over the East. In the southwest flow between these features, a shortwave trough was lifting through the Central Plains. These storms formed in the southeast quadrant of the associated vorticity maximum. Around the time thunderstorms developed, temperatures were in the lower 70s with dewpoints in the lower 60s, resulting in low cloud bases. Even at mid-afternoon, cloud bases were only 2000-2500 ft. The surface conditions and mid-level lapse rates of 7 degrees C/km resulted in SBCAPE was around 1500 J/kg. Deep layer shear was only 25-30 knots. However, low-level wind fields were strong with 40-45 knots at 850 mb. This resulted in large hodographs with 0-1 km SRH values of 200-250 m2/s2, and 0-3 km SRH of 250-300 m2/s2. Combined with low cloud bases, this created a favorable environment for supercells and tornadoes.

Hail in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 15:10:00 to 06-MAY-15 15:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: CODELL
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 16:07:00 to 06-MAY-15 16:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: COVERT
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 16:25:00 to 06-MAY-15 16:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSBORNE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 16:44:00 to 06-MAY-15 16:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: TIPTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in SMITH, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 17:15:00 to 06-MAY-15 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEBANON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 17:30:00 to 06-MAY-15 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONTROSE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 18:24:00 to 06-MAY-15 18:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSBORNE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 19:03:00 to 06-MAY-15 19:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURR OAK
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Hail in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 20:57:00 to 06-MAY-15 20:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURR OAK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy Rain in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 06:00:00 to 07-MAY-15 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURR OAK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A 24 hour storm total rainfall amount of 6.43 inches was reported.

Heavy Rain in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 06:00:00 to 07-MAY-15 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEBBER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A 24 hour storm total rainfall amount of 7.92 inches was reported.

Heavy Rain in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 06:00:00 to 07-MAY-15 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURR OAK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A 24 hour storm total rainfall amount of 4.68 inches was reported.

Tornado in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 14:31:00 to 06-MAY-15 14:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: IONIA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

This tornado was reported by an off-duty NWS employee. No damage occurred with this tornado.

Tornado in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 15:54:00 to 06-MAY-15 16:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: FORMOSO
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down southeast of Formoso, traveling about 4 miles before lifting northeast of Formoso. This tornado was rated an EF1, with an estimated peak wind speed of 110 MPH. Tree and power pole damage was noted along its path, and one home sustained roof, window and siding damage. An outbuilding was also destroyed.

Tornado in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 16:04:00 to 06-MAY-15 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: RANDALL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado near the town of Randall was rated an EF1, with an estimated peak wind speed of 90 MPH. Damage from this tornado was confined to trees, and the path was determined from video and eyewitness accounts.

Tornado in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 14:55:00 to 06-MAY-15 15:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: ESBON
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado started west of Mankato, traveling north and passing approximately 1 mile to the west of Burr Oak before turning more to the northeast and lifting. One woman was injured at her home approximately 4 miles south-southwest of Burr Oak. This tornado was rated an EF2, with an estimated peak wind speed of 130 MPH.
Along the path of this tornado, at least 4 homes sustained damage, including roof, window and siding damage. One home lost a large section of its roof. A garage was destroyed, with the vehicles inside moved 30-50 feet from their original location. Other outbuildings, grain bins, power poles and trees were damaged or destroyed.

Tornado in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 15:48:00 to 06-MAY-15 15:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEBBER
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 1.25M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down west-northwest of Webber in Jewell County, KS, traveling northeast through the very northwest corner of Republic County, KS, before entering Nebraska near the town of Hardy in Nuckolls County. It continued traveling northeast into Thayer County, lifting northwest of Deshler. This tornado was rated an EF2, with an estimated peak wind speed of 122 MPH. EF2 damage was noted in both Jewell County, KS and Nuckolls County, NE.
Damage along this tornado path included numerous pivots overturned and snapped power poles. There was a large amount of tree damage noted. In addition, in Jewell County, grain bins and outbuildings were destroyed, and a home lost a portion of its roof.

Flash Flood in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 17:30:00 to 07-MAY-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURR OAK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 2.50M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of 5 to 9 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts, was reported across an area stretching from west-central to north-northeastern portions of the county. The Republican River along the northern edge of the county flooded, and numerous county roads were under water.

Hail in SMITH, KANSAS
From 06-MAY-15 13:10:00 to 06-MAY-15 13:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: GAYLORD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter