Tornado strikes Kansas town, wrecking a stretch of Main Street. What to know
A tornado tore through southern Ottawa, Kansas, on Monday night, toppling power lines, damaging buildings and leaving much of the city without electricity. Despite significant structural damage across several blocks, city officials said no deaths or major injuries were reported.
FULL STORY: After tornado hits Kansas town, daylight shows wreckage. ‘You could hear the roar’
Here are key takeaways:
• The storm’s path: The tornado struck Ottawa, about an hour southwest of Kansas City in Franklin County, shortly after 7:30 p.m. Monday and continued east toward Paola. The National Weather Service confirmed at least two tornadoes moved through northeastern Kansas that night.
• No serious injuries: Ottawa Police Chief Adam Weingartner said no injuries were reported in the city. Three minor injuries were reported in rural Franklin County, where about three houses were significantly damaged.
• Hardest-hit area: The tornado damaged a four-block area from 15th Street to 19th Street “across the entire width of our community,” Weingartner said. Particularly heavy damage was reported near 17th Street.
• Widespread destruction: A family-owned auto shop of 45 years had its roof torn off. TruComp Pipe’s 76,000-square-foot manufacturing facility was blown open to the outside air, while the nearby Knights Inn was effectively destroyed. Some businesses, such as Daylight Donuts, sustained major damage. Entire rows of power poles were flattened.
• No outside help needed: Weingartner said no supplies or volunteers are needed. Utility crews from Kansas Gas Service and Evergy were working to restore power by Tuesday morning.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 4:48 PM.
