Barton storm history
Storm events recorded in Barton, Kansas between 1950 and 2025.
1,272
Total events
104
Tornadoes
525
Hail
62
Floods
2
Deaths
$121.6M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
Initial touchdown occurred 1 mile southwest of Hoisington. The tornado rapidly achieved F3 intensity as it entered the west side of town. Moving northeast around 20 mph, the tornado intensified to F4 within 2-3 minutes. While crossing northwest Hoisington, the tornado inflicted a…
Tornado F4 Tornado
This long track tornado moved in from Pawnee County. Law Enforcement reported the tornado just south of the county line near Pawnee Rock and then followed it as it moved to the NE. The tornado moved through the west side of Pawnee Rock causing sporadic EF1 and isolated EF2 damage…
Tornado F3 Tornado
Tornado F3 Tornado
Tornado F3 Tornado
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 …
The oppressive heat and humidity killed an estimated 500 to 600 cattle in feedlots across Barton County. A Great Bend facility alone lost over 400 cattle. Monetary loss estimates include cattle deaths along with the 40 to 70 pounds of average weight loss most heads of cattle incu…
One to two inches of ice accumulated across Barton County during the ice storm. This resulted in approximately 500 downed power poles and 2000 downed lines. Damage to the electrical infrastructure is estimated at $9.8 million. There was also widespread damage to trees but the cos…
The tornado damaged large trees at several locations along its path. Two barns were destroyed and several outbuildings were also severely damaged. Five 100,000 bushel grain bins were also destroyed with two of them flung onto the local Dillon's grocery store causing damage to tha…
Flash flooding was reported throughout the county. Highway 96 9 miles west of Great Bend was closed as water started flowing over the road. An observer in the area reported 3.22 inches of rain in just 3 hours. Highway 56 in Pawnee Rock was closed due to flood water. In Hoisington…
The baseball-sized hail caused widespread damage to approximately 8,000 residences, 400 businesses and 2,500 vehicles. Damage included smashed windows, roofs, siding and air conditioners. Among the vehicles damaged were those of the Barton County Sheriff's Department in which nea…
High Wind High Wind
The 65-mph wind gust was measured via a personal weather station. In addition, a semi was blown over on Highway 156, two miles east of Claflin.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
There was an estimated wind gusts of 70 mph along with reported power poles and large tree limbs down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reports of several downed power lines and a transformer also down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Estimated wind gusts around 60 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Estimated wind gusts around 60 mph along with nickel sized hail.
Hail Hail
Nickel sized hail was reported along with 60 mph winds.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A 67 mph wind gusts was measured from a personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
There was an estimated 65 mph wind gust reported.
Blizzard Blizzard
The county emergency manager reported power outages across the county along with near whiteout conditions around 8AM CDT. Additionally, Kansas State Highway 4 was closed at Hoisington and points westward due to conditions. At least sustained 35 mph winds were present at Great Ben…
High Wind High Wind
The AWOS site in Great Bend began reporting 40 mph sustained winds around 7:15 AM CDT. A peak gust of 62 mph was measured at 9:56 AM CDT. Sustained winds of 40 mph generally came to an end around 2:00 PM CDT. Additionally, power outages were reported across the county, and a tree…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A snowfall total of 8.8 inches was reported in Great Bend. Based on additional reports, around 4 to 9 inches of snow occurred across Barton County with the heaviest amounts occurring across the southern portions of the county.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
A snowfall report of 3 inches about three miles west-northwest of Great Bend. Based on additional observations, around 1 to 3 inches of snow fell across Barton County.
Blizzard Blizzard
Great Bend Municipal Airport showed an increase in snow intensity in combination with the winds starting in the morning hours with blizzard conditions reported for about nine hours. Sustained northerly winds had speeds of 20 to 30 mph for this period. The peak wind gust was 39 mp…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A long duration winter storm event impacted the area which started as freezing drizzle and snow with some sleet mixed in. The storm total snowfall was 8 inches of snow measured by law enforcement. Visibilities were reduced to around a mile after the blizzard conditions until 4:40…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Wind gust was measured at Great Bend Municipal Airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A power line was reported down.
Drought Drought
Drought conditions improved across the county in August with all areas now in moderate drought (D1).
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trained spotter estimated a few gusts near 60 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A trained spotter estimated a 60 mph wind gust in Ellinwood.
Hail Hail
Dispatch reported lots of pea sized hail with a couple of hail stones the size of a quarter.
Drought Drought
Severe drought (D2) conditions expanded slightly in the northwestern areas of the county in July.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured wind gust from a weather station near Pawnee Rock.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Estimated 50 to 60 mph wind gusts west of Great Bend.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured wind gust from a trained spotter.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Estimated wind gusts around 55 to 60 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Estimated wind gusts up to 60 mph with 3 to 4-inch diameter tree limbs down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Penny sized hail also reported.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Hail Hail
Broadcast media (KAKE TV) relayed a picture of tennis ball sized hail. The time was estimated from radar.
Hail Hail
Mostly smaller pea sized hail but a few golf ball sized hail pieces noted.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Spotter reported quarter to ping-pong ball sized hail.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 0 |
| 2024 | 33 | 1 |
| 2023 | 61 | 0 |
| 2022 | 33 | 0 |
| 2021 | 27 | 2 |
| 2020 | 21 | 0 |
| 2019 | 70 | 3 |
| 2018 | 39 | 1 |
| 2017 | 43 | 5 |
| 2016 | 18 | 1 |
| 2015 | 34 | 0 |
| 2014 | 49 | 0 |
| 2013 | 28 | 1 |
| 2012 | 31 | 1 |
| 2011 | 54 | 4 |
| 2010 | 49 | 3 |
| 2009 | 30 | 2 |
| 2008 | 59 | 10 |
| 2007 | 66 | 10 |
| 2006 | 44 | 0 |
| 2005 | 27 | 4 |
| 2004 | 41 | 5 |
| 2003 | 11 | 0 |
| 2002 | 39 | 4 |
| 2001 | 53 | 4 |
| 2000 | 22 | 1 |
| 1999 | 17 | 1 |
| 1998 | 37 | 2 |
| 1997 | 10 | 3 |
| 1996 | 29 | 0 |
| 1995 | 16 | 0 |
| 1994 | 6 | 0 |
| 1993 | 5 | 2 |
| 1992 | 13 | 0 |
| 1991 | 11 | 4 |
| 1990 | 14 | 2 |
| 1989 | 7 | 0 |
| 1987 | 6 | 0 |
| 1986 | 5 | 0 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 2 | 1 |
| 1983 | 4 | 0 |
| 1982 | 3 | 1 |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 |
| 1980 | 5 | 1 |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 | 2 | 1 |
| 1975 | 5 | 1 |
| 1974 | 5 | 1 |
| 1973 | 3 | 1 |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 2 | 0 |
| 1970 | 2 | 1 |
| 1969 | 3 | 0 |
| 1968 | 2 | 0 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 5 | 1 |
| 1965 | 4 | 0 |
| 1964 | 9 | 6 |
| 1963 | 2 | 2 |
| 1962 | 4 | 2 |
| 1961 | 3 | 0 |
| 1960 | 4 | 0 |
| 1959 | 1 | 0 |
| 1957 | 6 | 1 |
| 1956 | 8 | 5 |
| 1955 | 3 | 2 |
| 1950 | 1 | 1 |