KTKA

Only strong to violent tornadoes will stay in contact with the ground for over a few miles. The National Weather Service-Topeka has extensively surveyed the storm that moved across Mitchell, Jewell, and Republic Counties. It has been rated an EF-3, and was on the ground for 30 miles in Republic County.

The tornado caused extensive damage as it moved northeast across Republic County. The National Weather Service reports that the storm pulled into Republic County from Jewell County. At the county line, trees were uprooted, and a rock home was destroyed. Trees and powerlines were downed near Courtland, and a metal-framed building suffered damage.

The tornado continued northeast to the township of Scandia. There, the tornado was nearly 1/2 mile wide and produced severe tree and home damage. Some of the worst tree damage was at Union Valley Cemetary. The tornado stayed on the ground as it neared Belleville.

In Belleville, the tornado maxed out at 3/4 of a mile wide. It produced more extensive tree and home damage. Then, the tornado weakened as it crossed the Kansas-Nebraska border.

Tornadic storms of this intensity are not uncommon in Kansas. The peak of the severe weather and tornado season is in May and June. The weather pattern shows no signs of weakening. There will likely be severe weather in and close to the 49 viewing area, starting Sunday night, and periodically throughout next week. Stay tuned to Channel 49 and KTKA.COM for the latest severe weather information.