Lots of structures were harmed after possible twisters touched down in the Wichita, Kansas, area Friday night, officials said.Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said after talking with the city manager that around 50 to 100 structures in the region were harmed.
Andover Fire Chief Chad Russell informed reporters that 966 structures in the city were in the storm's course.
" We had numerous structures in Andover take extremely strong damage," Russell stated. ". Some of our areas damaged severely enough that the homes were completely blown down."
A damage control had actually not been completed late Friday and it was not immediately clear how many of the structures were damaged, however municipal government had sustained some damage.The Greater Wichita YMCA said in a declaration that the YMCA of Andover, to the east of the city, sustained "substantial damage."
" We are happy that all of the staff and members that nestled at the branch at the time of the storm, were not injured," the YMCA stated.
The course of one possible twister appeared to extend from Sedgwick County into Butler County, where Andover lies, Russell stated.
The National Weather Service stated it would be sending out groups out Saturday early morning to conduct damage surveys to confirm the tornadoes.Russell said officials believed no rescues were outstanding, however extra evaluations were being carried out.
Scott Stueven, Butler County EMS deputy chief, said they got 5 ask for EMS patients, including two firemens. One was hospitalized and both were in "good condition," he said.
A lot of reports of injuries have been for small cuts, scratches and fall victims, he stated, with no vital injuries.
In Sedgwick County, three injuries were reported, consisting of one that was serious, said Kevin Lanterman, interim director for Sedgwick County EMS. No additional details were offered.
Andover police said the majority of the city's major intersections were blocked by debris or downed utility lines.More than 22,000 energy clients in Kansas were without electrical energy following the storm.
Sedgwick County Emergency Management Director Julie Stimson stated by e-mail that authorities were still assessing damage. She told NBC affiliate KSN of Wichita that county workers are going to door-to-door to examine citizens.
" We have power interruptions," she said. "There is damage. We do not require observers at this time."
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly urged citizens to remain alert as severe weather moved across the state Friday night.
" We are keeping an eye on the storm system carefully, and I've activated our disaster response and recovery plan," she tweeted.
Authorities in Sedgwick County stated an emergency as they activated its emergency situation operations center, according to a statement. The declaration will help the county acquire state help, officials stated.
Sedgwick County Emergency Management Director Julie Stimson said by e-mail that authorities were still examining damage. She informed NBC affiliate KSN of Wichita that county employees are going to door-to-door to check on homeowners.
" We have power outages," she said. "There is damage. We do not need observers at this time."
The National Weather Service blamed a strong storm system in the center of the Lower 48 that was drawing rainfall from the Gulf of Mexico while producing strong wind shear.
"There will be the capacity for substantial tornadoes, harmful wind gusts and large hail with a focus over southeastern Nebraska into eastern Kansas," the service said in a forecast discussion Friday.
The National Weather Service warned of thunderstorms in Nebraska and Kansas that could fuel twisters as strong as EF 2, which defines twisters with winds of 113 to 157 miles per hour.
The storms Friday "have potential to produce very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes, a few of which could be strong," the office stated.
