Kansas

See photos of the damage a tornado wreaked on small Kansas town

By Tammy Ljungblad and Eric Adler

A family-owned auto shop. A hotel. A manufacturing plant. A doughnut store.

All were left with severe damages Monday night when an EF-2 tornado ripped through a four-block swath of Ottawa, Kansas, tearing away roofs, blasting through walls, leaving downed trees, shattered glass and piles of stone and debris in its wake.

The Knights Inn motel at Main and 17th streets was effectively destroyed, as were other businesses. Some homes also suffered serious damage. No one in Ottawa was killed or seriously injured.

After hitting Ottawa, the tornado continued east, where it was observed in Paola, Kansas, around 8 p.m., according to a post from the National Weather Service.

See photos of the damage, captured Tuesday by The Star’s Tammy Ljungblad.

Manufacturing plant hit

Kendal Anderson, 31, had just moved from Kansas City to Ottawa two months ago, after securing a job at TruComp Pipe, a manufacturer of high-pressure gas and oil pipes. On Tuesday, Anderson looked over what remained of TruComp after a tornado hit the plant on Monday night.
Kendal Anderson, 31, had just moved from Kansas City to Ottawa two months ago, after securing a job at TruComp Pipe, a manufacturer of high-pressure gas and oil pipes. On Tuesday, Anderson looked over what remained of TruComp after a tornado hit the plant on Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
City officials were on site inspecting the TruComp Pipe manufacturing plant in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the facility at 221 W. 17th St. Monday night causing damage so severe that city officials deemed the building unsafe.
City officials were on site inspecting the TruComp Pipe manufacturing plant in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the facility at 221 W. 17th St. Monday night causing damage so severe that city officials deemed the building unsafe. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
City officials have deemed the building of TruComp Pipe manufacturing plant unsafe after a tornado hit the building Monday night in Ottawa, Kansas. The building was seen on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
City officials have deemed the building of TruComp Pipe manufacturing plant unsafe after a tornado hit the building Monday night in Ottawa, Kansas. The building was seen on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
City officials were on site inspecting the TruComp Pipe manufacturing plant in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the facility at 221 W. 17th St. Monday night causing damage so severe that city officials have deemed the building unsafe.
City officials were on site inspecting the TruComp Pipe manufacturing plant in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the facility at 221 W. 17th St. Monday night causing damage so severe that city officials have deemed the building unsafe. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Cody Lohse, a teacher of journalism, photography, and a yearbook advisor at Ottawa High School, captures photos of the TruComp Pipe manufacturing plant in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the 221 W. 17th St. facility on Monday night, causing such extensive damage that city officials have since deemed the building unsafe for entry.
Cody Lohse, a teacher of journalism, photography, and a yearbook advisor at Ottawa High School, captures photos of the TruComp Pipe manufacturing plant in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the 221 W. 17th St. facility on Monday night, causing such extensive damage that city officials have since deemed the building unsafe for entry. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Deer mounts remain on the wall of an office at TruComp Pipe in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the manufacturing facility at 221 W. 17th St. the previous day, causing damage so severe that city officials have deemed the building unsafe.
Deer mounts remain on the wall of an office at TruComp Pipe in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the manufacturing facility at 221 W. 17th St. the previous day, causing damage so severe that city officials have deemed the building unsafe. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
“I just really can't get over it,” said Eric Wendling, an operations manager at TruComp Pipe, as he looked over the tornado destruction at 221 W. 17th St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. The tornado, which hit Monday night, destroyed the manufacturing company.
“I just really can't get over it,” said Eric Wendling, an operations manager at TruComp Pipe, as he looked over the tornado destruction at 221 W. 17th St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. The tornado, which hit Monday night, destroyed the manufacturing company. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
“I just really can't get over it,” said Eric Wendling, an operations manager at TruComp Pipe, as he looked over the tornado destruction at 221 W. 17th St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. The tornado, which hit Monday night, destroyed the manufacturing company.
“I just really can't get over it,” said Eric Wendling, an operations manager at TruComp Pipe, as he looked over the tornado destruction at 221 W. 17th St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. The tornado, which hit Monday night, destroyed the manufacturing company. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Roof ripped off local inn

The Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., showed heavy damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. No injuries were reported in Ottawa.
The Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., showed heavy damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. No injuries were reported in Ottawa. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night.
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., showed heavy damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. No injuries were reported in Ottawa.
The Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., showed heavy damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. No injuries were reported in Ottawa. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night.
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., showed heavy damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. No injuries were reported in Ottawa.
The Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., showed heavy damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. No injuries were reported in Ottawa. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night.
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night.
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn, 1641 S. Main St., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Family-owned auto shop damaged

Randy McCurdy, owner of McCurdy’s Auto Sales & Auto Service, looked over damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night.
Randy McCurdy, owner of McCurdy’s Auto Sales & Auto Service, looked over damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Randy McCurdy, right, owner of McCurdy's Auto Sales & Auto Service, and others, looked over damage to his business on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night.
Randy McCurdy, right, owner of McCurdy's Auto Sales & Auto Service, and others, looked over damage to his business on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn and McCurdy's Auto Service on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night.
Damage was visible at the Knights Inn and McCurdy's Auto Service on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Randy McCurdy, owner of McCurdy's Auto Sales & Auto Service, looked over damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night.
Randy McCurdy, owner of McCurdy's Auto Sales & Auto Service, looked over damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Several left without power

Damage was visible near 16oo South Main St., Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. No injuries were reported in Ottawa.
Damage was visible near 1600 South Main St., Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. No injuries were reported in Ottawa. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
A utility worker from Gardner, Kansas, untangles debris lodged in the power lines on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. The town was hit by a tornado Monday night.
A utility worker from Gardner, Kansas, untangles debris lodged in the power lines on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. The town was hit by a tornado Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
A damaged traffic signal was visible Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night.
A damaged traffic signal was visible Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas, after a tornado moved through the town Monday night. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Utility crews work to repair downed power lines along 17th Street in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the city Monday night causing significant damage, but no injuries.
Utility crews work to repair downed power lines along 17th Street in Ottawa, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. A tornado struck the city Monday night causing significant damage, but no injuries. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Clean-up underway

Roger Carson and Janet Slifer moved perishable items from Hope House, a not-for-profit food pantry, in Franklin County, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. A tornado struck the facility Monday night and damage the building. Slifer, the board president, said the food items will be distributed among self-serve food boxes in the city.
Roger Carson and Janet Slifer moved perishable items from Hope House, a not-for-profit food pantry, in Franklin County, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. A tornado struck the facility Monday night and damage the building. Slifer, the board president, said the food items will be distributed among self-serve food boxes in the city. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Roger Carson and Janet Slifer moved perishable items from Hope House, a not-for-profit food pantry, in Franklin County, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. A tornado struck the facility Monday night and damage the building. Slifer, the board president, said the food items will be distributed among self-serve food boxes in the city.
Roger Carson and Janet Slifer moved perishable items from Hope House, a not-for-profit food pantry, in Franklin County, Kansas, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Ottawa, Kansas. A tornado struck the facility Monday night and damage the building. Slifer, the board president, said the food items will be distributed among self-serve food boxes in the city. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Keith Hodges with the City of Ottawa, talks with Michelle Graf, center, and Tiffany Wyatt, both of Hope House, a not-for profit food pantry, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, one day after a tornado hit and damaged the organization in Ottawa, Kansas.
Keith Hodges with the City of Ottawa, talks with Michelle Graf, center, and Tiffany Wyatt, both of Hope House, a not-for profit food pantry, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, one day after a tornado hit and damaged the organization in Ottawa, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Tiffany Wyatt, co-director of the Hope House, a not-for profit food pantry, looks over interior damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, one day after a tornado hit the organization in Ottawa, Kansas.
Tiffany Wyatt, co-director of the Hope House, a not-for profit food pantry, looks over interior damage on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, one day after a tornado hit the organization in Ottawa, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 2:30 PM.

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Tammy Ljungblad
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Tammy Ljungblad, at The Kansas City Star, since 1989, is a photojournalist producing videos and storytelling photographs covering a wide range of topics including the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking news, in-depth stories and personality profiles. She is also a FAA licensed drone pilot. Support my work with a digital subscription
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