After a devastating tornado that struck Andover, Kansas, 40 million Americans remain at risk from severe storms as two separate weather systems move through over a dozen states.
On Friday, a devastating tornado swept through Kansas, leaving the city of Andover with extensive damage as it leveled several homes and damaged the Capital Federal Amphitheater and the local YMCA, collapsing part of its roof, KWCH reported.
At a news conference Saturday morning, Andover Fire Chief Chad Russell said no deaths had been reported so far and only four people suffered minor injuries.
“We are still very concerned about the areas in the Fire District that we have not yet… searched. That’s our primary goal and that’s where the crews are right now,” Russell said.
According to poweroutage.us Hours after the tornado left over 23,000 Kansas residents without power, the number dropped to 2,153 residents as of Saturday noon as crews worked overtime to restore power.
On Saturday, the storm system that has ripped through the Central Plains will continue eastward, bringing severe weather, including high winds, hail and tornadoes, to over a dozen states, CNN reported.
Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain will hit parts of the Plains, Midwest and South well into the week, the Weather Channel reported.
As Saturday’s storms continue to move into the Midwest, they could bring tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds and localized flash flooding.
“Severe thunderstorms associated with a risk of wind damage and isolated large hailstones are possible Saturday from the middle Mississippi Valley north into the western Great Lakes,” the Storm Prediction Center said.
Severe storms continue to move west Sunday, threatening parts of west Texas with major hail and wind damage and possible tornadoes.
Storms are expected to develop in eastern New Mexico and Colorado before moving east into Texas and Oklahoma, the Weather Channel reported.
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Wichita firefighters search through debris in Andover, Kansas hours after a devastating tornado swept through the city
A massive tornado toppled in Andover, Kansas Saturday night as counties across the state issued warnings
Three vehicles were thrown in front of the Andover YMCA building, which was devastated by the tornado
Homes across the city were devastated as the tornado passed. In the picture a cul-de-sac devastated by the storm
Homes in the tornado’s path were severely damaged, while others were completely leveled by the tornado
A man comes out of his house and surveys the damage that has destroyed an entire wall and part of the roof
The Andover YMCA was also badly damaged with part of its ceiling collapsing as the storm passed
Storm chaser Reed Timmer captured shocking footage of the tornado from his car as it moved quickly through a residential area in Andover, pulling a large amount of debris with it.
As it intensifies, he panics and yells at someone to “go to the apartment complex!”.
Other storm chasers and local residents have also taken pictures and video of the storm and its aftermath, with one man filming the moment the tornado struck power lines and lit the sky with violent flashes of light.
Moments later, the storm chaser arrives at the area the tornado passed through, revealing rows of homes devastated by the tornado.
Brandon Whipple, mayor of neighboring Wichita, which provides assistance to Andover, said about 50-100 buildings in Andover were damaged by the storm.
The Greater Wichita YMCA said the Andover branch will be closed because of the damage, but that none of the employees were hurt by the storm.
“The Andover YMCA suffered significant damage as a result of the storm that hit the Andover area tonight. We are grateful that all staff and members who were taking refuge in the branch at the time of the storm were not injured.’
A Snapchat user by the name of Aaryn also captured video of the aftermath in his neighborhood as neighbors came out to check on each other.
The video shows the homes on the block badly damaged, some completely razed, as all Aaryn can say is, ‘Oh my God. That whole dead end is gone.”
Counties across the state issued tornado warnings Saturday, with twisters appearing and dissipating across Kansas, including Wichita, Sedgwick and Butler.
Andover, which is in Wichita County, appeared to be the hardest hit area. Neighboring cities have dispatched rescue workers to support Andover.
A huge tornado snapped menacingly over homes in Andover, Kansas on Friday night. At least 100 buildings were destroyed by the twister, although there have been no reports of casualties
A Snapchat user who filmed the episode at his neighbor’s home lamented that his impasse had all but disappeared
Tornadoes were spotted across Kansas while the Andover storm passed through Wichita, Sedgwick and Butler
Saturday’s storm comes days after the 31st anniversary of the deadly outbreak of the F5 tornado that struck Oklahoma and Kansas in 1991.
The deadly storms lasted two days and killed a total of 21 people, including 17 in Andover alone.
Interim Wichita Police Chief Lem Moore said authorities were working to assess the damage caused by Saturday’s tornado and urged travelers to stay away from the city.
“Emergency services want to focus on the families in Andover and not the people who want to drive by to see the damage,” Moore said in a statement.