F0 Tornado — Sedgwick, Kansas

1999-04-05 · near Wichita, Sedgwick, Kansas

Event narrative

The weak tornado fromed along the gust front of a downburst in East Wichita. Initial touchdown occurred just west of the East Harry/South Oliver intersection. The tornado moved northeast to the Kellogg/Oliver intersection, then almost due north to just east of the Central/Oliver intersection where it lifted. The tornado inflicted extensive tree damage, destroyed two portable grade school classrooms, caved in the ceiling of a supermarket, and caused extensive roof damage to homes and businesses.

Wider weather episode

Synoptic-scale high winds of 39-53kts with gusts to 63kts ripped across Central Kansas from mid-morning thru late afternoon. The high winds tore the roof off a modular building around 9:30 am at St. Francis Academy, 5 miles west of Salina. Building was unoccupied at time of the event. Tractor-trailers were overturned along I-70 in Saline County. In Russell County, several power poles were blown down causing power outages in and around Russell. Widespread damage to houses, primarily to roofs and guttering, occurred throughout the county.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.7000, -97.3300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5686507. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.