Thunderstorm Wind in Barton County, Kansas

Extensive damage throughout Great Bend! Ten buildings sustained major roof or structural damage. One such casualty was the Travelodge, where the roof was peeled and twisted off part of the motel resulting in water damage to an unspecified number of upstairs guest rooms. In a few instances, the structures were completely unroofed. Numerous vehicles sustained broken windows. Twelve people suffered minor injuries, all of which required treatment at Central Kansas Medical Center. One such injury occurred when the driver of a 2003 Acura had parked his car in the Travelodge parking lot shortly before part of it's roof struck the vehicle. The car's roof and windshield were smashed, trapping him for approximately 15 minutes. Tree damage was extensive and occurred throughout the community, with many trees uprooted. Power lines and power poles downed in and around the city. Power was severed to approximately 5,500 residences. Of the estimated $5 million damage, $750,000 was inflicted upon equipment maintained by Midwest Energy, while an estimated $200,000 to $250,000 was inflicted upon electrical wires maintained by Aquila Electric.(Narrative courtesy of Great Bend Tribune and Hutchinson News.)