Monday weather blog: Tornadoes strike Reno, Kiowa, Gove counties

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Daylight in areas hit by Sunday night’s tornadoes shows the extent of damage and the cleanup efforts that are underway. Tornadoes caused extensive damage in the towns of Grinnell (Gove County) and Plevna (Reno County) and toppled about 100 cars on a Union Pacific train near Haviland, in Kiowa County.

The American Red Cross has set up a fund to help families affected by the recent storms in Kansas and across the country. Text Red Cross to 9099 and choose to give to the Spring Storms and Floods or to give to your local Red Cross.

HOW TO DONATE:

• Call 1-800-RED CROSS
• Text RED CROSS to 90999
• On the web redcross.org/donate
• On the web and phone select either Spring Storms and Floods or your local Red Cross

You can follow post-storm updates below:

1:25 p.m.: The Reno County group, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), announced a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for people directly impacted by Sunday night’s tornado that hit the small town of Plevna. The resource center will be set up at the Abbyville Community Church (201 W. Ave G, south of the Abbyville Rodeo Grounds) from 4-6 pm Tuesday and again from 4-6 pm on Wednesday.

“The MARC will allow affected persons the ability to connect with resources to meet basic immediate needs (water, power, medical needs, etc.) and to begin the process of accessing and addressing longer-term needs (replacing documents, housing needs, etc.),” Reno County VOAD explained.

The American Red Cross also established a 24-hour emergency shelter for people affected by the tornado. The shelter will be at the Abbyville Community Center (311 E. Ave. F, Abbyville, Kan.). The shelter includes food, water and power access.

“For needs related to the shelter specifically, please call: 1-800-Red - Cross (1-800-733-2767) and mention the Abbyville Community Center emergency shelter,” Reno County VOAD advised.

12:15 p.m.: We’re learning more about a train derailment in Kiowa County late Sunday night. A tornado that tore through part of Kiowa County between Greensburg and Haviland toppled about 100 cars on a Union Pacific train stopped about two miles west of Haviland.

Union Pacific said the derailment happened at about 11 p.m. after the crew stopped the train due to the dangerous storm. The railroad confirmed that there were no injuries and no hazardous materials were released. As of 11 a.m. Monday, Union Pacific confirmed that cleanup is underway.

“Union Pacific would like to thank the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Department, which quickly responded to the scene and picked up our train crew,” the railroad said in a statement to 12 News.

11:45 a.m. - The Kansas Highway of Transportation provided an update on interstate traffic impacted by Sunday night’s tornado in Grinnell. The KHP said lane closures on I-70 are expected to remain in place through this week.

KDOT has closed the ing lanes on east and westbound I-70 between mile markers 82 and 87.

“The closures are necessary for utility crews to complete repairs on downed powerlines from severe weather on Sunday evening,” the KHP said.

10:30 a.m. - Midwest Energy reports that the natural gas system in Grinnell is shut down due to storm damage, but the company hopes to get the gas back on Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, 12 News got first-hand looks at the extent of damage in Grinnell and Plevna on the morning after tornadoes that tore through the towns.

9 a.m. - The Grinnell VFW is serving meals throughout the day and coordinating volunteers.

Lunch begins at around 11 a.m. and dinner at around 5 p.m.

8 a.m. - Monday’s forecast tells you when more severe weather is expected across the state.

7:30 a.m. - Representatives from the National Weather Service office in Goodland will be surveying tornado damage on Monday.

One representative will be in Grinnell and may provide an EF rating as soon as Monday.

Fairfield Schools in Reno County announced they would be closed on Monday.

7 a.m. - 12 News reporter Max Dutton is in Grinnell on Monday morning to survey the damage left behind by Sunday’s tornado.

Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Tracey Mann are among the Kansas lawmakers who have issued statements about Sunday’s storms.

“My office is in with local authorities to closely monitor the damage, and we stand ready to assist however we can,” Marshall said.

A tornado struck the Reno County town of Plevna around midnight on Monday.

We have not heard reports of injuries; however, a 12 News crew arrived in the community southwest of Hutchinson shortly after the tornado. There was significant damage to homes and buildings, with debris thrown across the area.

One homeowner said he is grateful his property didn’t sustain significant damage.

“Compared to some of these places it wasn’t that bad,” Jason Wingert said. “Flying debris messed up vehicles. I got damage to my roof, chimney on the other side is gone, still got bricks on the roof. Stuff came through the windows and I guess flew around inside the house.”

Wingert said he sought shelter from the tornado under an over and that he didn’t know that could be dangerous.

On Monday morning, the Red Cross is at the Abbyville Community Center to help victims. The Reno County emergency manager reminds you to not touch downed power lines or drive through debris-covered roads. You should also avoid entering damaged buildings until they are declared safe.

Kiowa County schools are canceled on Monday due to a continued power outage.

A tornado struck the area on Sunday night. There are no injuries reported.

A Union Pacific train derailed near 43rd Avenue and US 54 in Kiowa County. The highway is open in the area but slowdowns should be expected.

There were no injuries in the derailment and no hazardous materials were spilled.

I-70 has reopened in western Kansas on Monday morning.

It was closed in both directions for hours while first responders cleaned up in the Gove County community of Grinnell.

The Kansas Department of Transportation said traffic will be reduced to one lane near Grinnell, and the exit to the town remains closed while crews clear downed power lines.

There are no reports of injuries in Grinnell, but several homes were either destroyed or sustained significant damage.

Garden City’s fire marshal was storm-spotting along I-70 in western Kansas when he came upon a backup on the interstate.

Gene Robertson said he saw several flipped semis and engers trapped in vehicles. Robertson was on the front line providing EMS assistance along I-70, and he surveyed some of the damage in town.

“We assisted the people on the interstate with patient care and traffic control, then went into town and assisted their fire department there with search and rescue,” Robertson said. “There’s no major injuries, a lot of damage, but everybody was safe. Very heavy damage to the west side of town. Several houses destroyed completely on the foundations, others missing roofs, others having one or two walls left.”

Utility crews in northwest Kansas are working to restore power to Midwest Energy customers.

The utility company said at least 15 poles were downed in the tornado. Midwest Energy shut off gas but could restore service on Monday if it’s determined that there are no leaks.

There are also outages farther south. About 800 customers are without power in Reno and Pratt Counties.

First responders in Stafford County rescued people who were trapped in a demolished home.

Dispatchers said it happened after a storm late Sunday night in the Neola Township southeast of Stafford.

Nobody was seriously injured, but there are lines down in the area.

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