EF1s, rope tornado among 7 twisters in Kansas during severe weather outbreak
The multi-state severe weather outbreak earlier this week generated at least seven tornadoes in north-central and northeast Kansas, according to damage survey reports from the National Weather Service in Topeka.
“Four tornadoes were rated EF1 with peak winds estimated at 95-100 mph,” the weather service said on X. “Three tornadoes occurred in open fields with no known damage. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.”
The multiple twisters are in addition to the EF1 tornado that touched down east of Missouri City in Ray County, Missouri, causing tree damage primarily as it traveled just over 17 miles in about 20 minutes, according to the National Weather Service in Kansas City/Pleasant Hill.
The first of the Kansas tornadoes was an EF-unknown, which touched down around 3:27 p.m. Monday about 3 miles north of Miltonvale in Cloud County in north-central Kansas.
The rope tornado occurred over open fields and was confirmed by video. The tornado traveled 1.16 miles and was 30 yards wide at its peak. It lifted about a minute after touching down.
Shortly after 4 p.m., a tornado touched down about 3 miles southeast of Palmer in Washington County in north-central Kansas. The EF-unknown tornado occurred over open fields, traveled 2.73 miles, and was 50 yards wide at its peak. Video confirmed the tornado, which was on the ground for about 4 minutes.
Debris carried about a quarter mile
An EF1 tornado touched down about 4:46 p.m. about 4 miles east of Bern in Nemaha County in northeast Kansas.
The tornado damaged an old barn, which lost 30-40% of its roof and wall, and destroyed a small barn, carrying the debris about a quarter mile to the northeast.
At its peak, the tornado had estimated wind speeds of 95 mph and a width of 100 yards. It traveled about 2.57 miles before lifting about 4:52 p.m., about 6 miles northeast of Bern.
At about 5:27 p.m., an EF1 tornado touched down about one mile east of Blue Rapids in Marshall County in northeast Kansas.
While on the ground, the tornado snapped large tree limbs and a few tree trunks, as well as destroyed grain bins.
At its peak, the tornado had estimated wind speeds of 95 mph and a width of 100 yards. It traveled just over 12 miles before lifting about 5:56 p.m., about 5 miles north of Frankfort in Marshall County.
Another tornado touched down about 5:33 p.m. about one mile northwest of Wakefield in Clay County in north-central Kansas.
The EF-unknown tornado near Milford Lake was confirmed by video and resulted in no damage. It traveled 1.5 miles and was 50 yards wide at its peak. It lifted two minutes later, northeast of Wakefield.
Large branches broken, outbuilding and barn destroyed
At about 7:16 p.m., an EF1 tornado touched down about 3 miles south of Circleville in Jackson County in northeast Kansas.
The tornado traveled about 8.2 miles, destroying an outbuilding and a barn, breaking several large branches, and blowing out windows of a south-facing porch along its path.
At its peak, the tornado had estimated wind speeds of 100 mph and had a width of 75 yards. It lifted about 10 minutes later, about 5 miles north of Holton in Jackson County, Kansas.
The final tornado occurred about 7:44 p.m. about 4 miles east of Council Grove in Morris County in east-central Kansas.
The brief tornado spun up inside a squall line of thunderstorms and damaged several power poles and large limbs. A two-story home had part of its roof covering lifted.
The tornado traveled just over 15 miles, lifting just before 8 p.m. north of Allen in Lyon County, Kansas. At its peak, the tornado had estimated wind speeds of 100 mph and a width of 50 yards.
This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 11:42 AM.
