Kansas experienced "significant damage" after powerful storms lashed the central United States on Sunday, just three days after extreme weather claimed seven lives in the Houston area.
Heavy gusts of wind in Russell County, Kansas, downed power lines and damaged homes, businesses, and vehicles, officials reported.
The National Weather Service had warned of destructive winds reaching 80 to 100 mph, large hail, and a few tornadoes in the region, extending to Oklahoma. The severe weather threat also included the potential for a derecho, a storm similar to the one that caused massive property damage, killed seven people in Houston, and left nearly one million without power.
See more: Weather forecast for Kansas
"The storm that hit Russell this afternoon caused significant damage across the community, including the electric distribution system, homes, businesses, and vehicles," officials wrote on Facebook. "At least three structures have been leveled."
"The electric crews are still isolating the damaged areas of the system before they can begin restoring power."
Substantial damage was also reported in and around Wichita, Kansas, where winds reportedly reached 75 mph.
Ellis County reported up to three inches of hail while many regions braced for extreme weather on Monday.
"The storms in Newton and Sedgwick counties have produced structural damage, downed power lines, and overturned semis," the weather service in Wichita said on X, warning of "80-90 mph winds." They advised, "Seek shelter now in southern Marion, southern Chase, and northern Butler Counties!"
Kansas weather forecast tomorrow
Tornado, severe thunderstorm, and flash flood warnings were issued across several states on Sunday.
More than 17 million people remain under a level 2 out of 5 risk, according to the Storm Prediction Center. This includes parts of Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa, as well as portions of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin in the Midwest.
Weather Forecast For 66002 - Atchison KS
Kansas City, Chicago, and Milwaukee are all under a level 2 risk, indicating a slight danger of storms. Meanwhile, thousands of people in Houston are grappling with sweltering heat as officials work to restore power.
