Crashes, trees down, power outages due to high wind

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The strong wind is causing a lot of crashes on Kansas roads on Tuesday. There are also power outages and trees downed by the wind. So far, the strongest wind report the KSN Storm Track 3 team has received is 85 mph, a mile west-southwest of Garden City. Other wind speeds are listed lower in this story.

Finney County’s emergency manager says:

• 11 semis have blown off the road,

• A roof blew off a building in the 2600 block of West Mary,

• A traffic light fell on a vehicle, but there are no injuries,

• Several trees are down, some on houses, and

• Several power lines and utility poles are down.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says U.S. Highway 50 is closed from two miles east of Deerfield to Lakin due to blowing dust causing multiple crashes.

KDOT warns that trucks and other high-profile vehicles can blow over or veer into the path of other vehicles. Flying debris and downed power lines can also be a problem for drivers.

“Please be aware that we are currently working several accidents involving blown over semi-trucks causing traffic delays and blockages,” the Finney County Sheriff’s Office said. “Avoid traveling on the highways if you can.”

Garden City is restricting traffic on Mary Street between Fleming and Campus Drive as crews repair a broken pole.

As of 3:40 p.m., power has been knocked out to about 3,200 customers, mainly in western Kansas. Evergy advises its customers to prepare for the damaging winds to move across the state. It says to have cell phones and other necessary electronics charged. If you do see a downed power line, Evergy says to stay at least 30 feet away from it.

There was also a two-vehicle crash on Highway 50 in Kearny County. Officials said blowing dirt there made conditions hazardous.

“Please, if you don’t have to be out today, then don’t,” Kearny County Fire Rescue said. “If you do have to be out, remember while driving through the blowing dust to keep going, turn your hazards on and watch your mirrors.”

Snow, some rain, and high winds through Tuesday

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office posted that travel conditions are hazardous for high-profile vehicles.

Morton County law enforcement is asking that people not go out unless absolutely necessary because the wind “can be extremely dangerous.”

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Depending on where you are in Kansas, you may encounter blowing snow instead of blowing dust. The National Weather Service posted pictures of the snow in Goodland Tuesday morning.

Wind Reports

The KSN Storm Track 3 team is tracking the wind speeds. More reports will be added as they come in.

3 p.m.

• 85mph – 1 WSW Garden City – Finney Co

1:30 p.m.

• 69mph – 1 N Syracuse – Hamilton Co

• 60 mph – Elkhart – Morton Co

• 77 mph – 2 N Lakin – Kearny Co

• 72 mph – 3 NW Pierceville – Finney Co

• 68 mph – 1 NE Johnson City – Stanton Co

• 66 mph – 2 ESE Scott City – Scott Co

• 66 mph – 9 NW Wilburton – Morton Co

• 61 mph – Dodge City – Ford Co

• 60 mph – 2 NNW Ulysses – Grant Co

• 61 mph – 1 SW Richfield – Morton Co

• 65 mph – 1 ENE Garden City – Finney Co

• 64 mph – 1 ESE Scott State Lake – Scott Co

• 69 mph – 1 S Coolidge – Hamilton Co

• 60 mph – 1 NNE Sublette – Haskell Co

• 60 mph – 11 SSE Satanta – Seward Co

• 58 mph – 1 NNW Oberlin – Decatur Co

• 63 mph – 2 E McCook – Red Willow, NE

• 69 mph – 12 NW Horace – Greeley Co

• 60mph – 2 ENE Colby – Thomas Co

• 63 mph – 9 WSW Winona – Logan Co

• 60mph – 1 NNW Brewster – Sherman Co

• 70 mph – 2 S Leoti – Wichita Co

• 61 mph – 1 E Hill City – Graham Co

• Damage Reports:

  • Trees blown down – Leoti – Wichita Co

  • Evergreen tree uprooted and leaned onto home – 1 NNW Goodland – Sherman Co

10:25 a.m.

• 60 mph – 1 N Syracuse – Hamilton Co

• 62 mph – 2 N Lakin – Kearny Co

• 68mph – 1 NE Johnson City – Stanton Co

• 63 mph – 2 NNW Ulysses – Grant Co

• 63 mph – 9 NW Wilburton – Morton Co

• 70 mph – 3 NW Pierceville – Finney Co

• 63 mph – 1 NE Goodland – Sherman Co

• 68 mph – 9 SSE Sharon Springs – Wallace Co

• 58 mph – 2 ESE Quinter – Gove Co

• 66 mph – 1 NNE Goodland – Sherman Co

• 74 mph – Winona – Logan Co

• 66mph – Leoti – Wichita Co

• Damage – Overturned semi on I-70 – 3 E Brewster – Thomas Co

9 a.m.

• Winfield – Cowley County – 63 MPH wind gust from 1:39 a.m.

• 5 NNW Olpe – Lyon County – 62 MPH wind gust

• 3 East of Emporia – Lyon County – 64 MPH wind gust

• 5 NNW Neosho Rapids – Lyon County – 58 MPH wind gust

Interactive radar:

Click here to find the latest Storm Track 3 Forecast.

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