EF3 Tornado — Gove, Kansas

2025-05-18 · near Campus, Gove, Kansas

Event narrative

A significant tornado developed south-southwest of Grinnell west of the CR S and 22 intersection, then moved north-northeast across I-70 and over the western four blocks of the town of Grinnell before dissipating in a wheatfield north of the Grinnell Cow Paddy Golf Club. The tornado caused damage to farmstead at CR X and 26, and east of the CR Z and 26 intersection. Damage included moving round bales, leveling wooden sheds, pushing farm equipment and vehicles, and breaking large tree limbs. Roughly 40 houses in Grinnell were damaged or destroyed, along with quonsets or other sheds. Notable damage included moving a house roughly four inches off the foundation, debris piercing the grain bins on the north side of town, causing thousands of bushels of grain to spill out, complete destruction of a house built in the 1800s, and moving a couple graveside head stones a couple hundred yards.

Wider weather episode

Numerous thunderstorms developed across the area leading to multiple hail reports, with the largest being 2 inches in diameter located in Wheeler and 5 S of St. Francis. Severe wind gusts were also reported as well, with the strongest being 63 mph 9 NNW of McDonald. Multiple tornadoes also occurred as well in Sherman, Cheyenne, and Gove counties. The town of Grinnell was directly hit by a strong tornado.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.9610, -100.7170)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1257075. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.