Russell storm history
Storm events recorded in Russell, Kansas between 1950 and 2025.
1,260
Total events
79
Tornadoes
480
Hail
30
Floods
4
Deaths
$50.3M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
At approximately 1705 CST a half mile wide tornado touched down 1.5 miles southwest of the MINOOKA PARK area on the south shore of Wilson Lake. The tornado ravaged Ken's Marina and the MINOOKA PARK area around 1710 CST by destroying the marina building, numerous boats, motors, an…
Tornado F3 Tornado
Tornado F3 Tornado
Multiple campers were blown over throughout the state park at Wilson Lake with debris spreading all over. Three people were transported to the hospital with injuries, and one person was found deceased.
Freezing rain affected the county from the late night into early morning hours on the 23rd. Law enforcement reported up to one-quarter inch of ice accumulation and very slick roads countywide. Thereafter, patchy freezing drizzle occurred into the morning hours on the 24th, with o…
Freezing drizzle caused Interstate 70 in Russell county to become very slick. This caused a westbound driving pickup to lose control, cross the median, and collided head on with an eastbound Kenworth tractor-trailer. The vehicles crashed through KDOT barrier before coming to rest…
One to two inches of ice accumulated across Russell 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 co…
On January 3rd, a strong cold front surged south across Kansas & Oklahoma before stalling along/near the Red River during the afternoon of the 4th. A shallow layer of moist, sub-freezing air spread south over all but Southeast Kansas, as an 850-mb cold front, oriented in a southw…
High Wind High Wind
The ASOS site at Russell Municipal Airport gusted to 63 mph at 4:29 AM CST, and then gusted to 58 mph at 8:16 AM CST.
High Wind High Wind
Long duration wind event with sustained speeds in the 35-50 mph with gusts up to 77 mph.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
There were reports of multiple slide-offs due to icy road conditions. Additionally, the Russell ASOS site measured 0.19 inches of flat ice accumulation.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
This gust was measured by a personal weather station.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
This gust was measured by a Kansas Mesonet site.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
This wind gust was measured at the Russell Airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
This gust was measured at a Kansas Mesonet site.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Bunker Hill Mesonet measured a 72 mph wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured from the ASOS station at Russell Municipal Airport.
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Blizzard Blizzard
The ASOS site at Russell Municipal Airport began reporting blizzard conditions at around 5 AM CDT. This is supported by a KWCH storm chaser in Dorrance. Social media videos showed near whiteout conditions on I-70 during the morning hours, and KDOT closed I-70 from Salina and poin…
High Wind High Wind
Sustained 40 mph winds began around 2:15 AM CDT with gusts over 60 beginning around 3:00 AM CDT. A peak wind gust of 70 mph was measured at 8:06 AM CDT. Power outages caused reporting issues with the ASOS site, but based on surrounding observations, 40 mph sustained winds ended a…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A snowfall total of 5 inches was reported about three miles southeast of Luray. Based on other reports, around 3 to 5 inches fell across Russell County.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A snow total of 5 inches was reported about four miles east-southeast of Dorrance. Based on additional reports, around 3 to 5 inches of snow fell across Russell County.
Blizzard Blizzard
Russell Municipal Airport had an increase in snow intensity in combination with the winds starting in the early morning hours with blizzard conditions reported for about 10 hours. Sustained northerly winds had speeds of 20 to 30 mph for this period. The peak wind gust was 49 mph …
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A long duration winter storm event impacted the area which started as drizzle and freezing drizzle followed by freezing rain and sleet before transitioning to snow. Russell Municipal Airport measured a flat ice accumulation of 0.66 inches. The highest storm total snowfall was 12.…
High Wind High Wind
For about an hour during the afternoon of November 18, wind gusts around 58 to 66 mph were measured at Russell Municipal Airport.
High Wind High Wind
A wind gust of 60 mph was measured at Russell Municipal Airport.
High Wind High Wind
At Russell Municipal Airport, the ASOS measured a wind gust to 58 mph in the afternoon.
Drought Drought
Drought conditions improved across the county in August with all areas now in moderate drought (D1).
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Kansas State Mesonet recorded a wind gust of 64 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Up to 60 mph wind gusts were being recorded by the ASOS site at Russell Municipal Airport at around 3:41 AM CDT. Gusts continued to increase over the next 10 to 15 minutes. A wind gust of 76 mph was recorded at 3:46 AM CDT. Then, wind gusts peaked around 85 mph at 3:54 AM CDT.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A 93 mph wind gust was recorded by the Kansas State Mesonet near Bunker Hill.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Power lines were knocked down and power poles were snapped in Russell.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Two campers rolled over near Wilson Lake. Both were unoccupied at the time. Thus there were no injuries. Power poles were snapped nearby as well.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Drought Drought
Severe drought (D2) expanded some in the southwestern areas of the county during the month of July.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured wind gust at Russell Municipal Airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Measured wind gust from the Kansas State Mesonet 3 miles northeast of Bunker Hill.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Emergency manager reported tree limbs and power lines down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Russell Municipal Airport measured a 74 mph wind gust.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Russell Municipal Airport measured an 81 mph wind gust.
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | 0 |
| 2024 | 42 | 1 |
| 2023 | 41 | 1 |
| 2022 | 33 | 2 |
| 2021 | 40 | 0 |
| 2020 | 32 | 0 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1 |
| 2018 | 37 | 0 |
| 2017 | 18 | 0 |
| 2016 | 26 | 0 |
| 2015 | 18 | 1 |
| 2014 | 27 | 1 |
| 2013 | 31 | 2 |
| 2012 | 45 | 7 |
| 2011 | 71 | 4 |
| 2010 | 46 | 0 |
| 2009 | 17 | 0 |
| 2008 | 53 | 0 |
| 2007 | 38 | 2 |
| 2006 | 37 | 1 |
| 2005 | 14 | 5 |
| 2004 | 55 | 15 |
| 2003 | 13 | 0 |
| 2002 | 58 | 6 |
| 2001 | 52 | 4 |
| 2000 | 26 | 0 |
| 1999 | 23 | 0 |
| 1998 | 30 | 0 |
| 1997 | 15 | 1 |
| 1996 | 19 | 0 |
| 1995 | 23 | 1 |
| 1994 | 10 | 0 |
| 1993 | 6 | 3 |
| 1992 | 21 | 3 |
| 1991 | 27 | 1 |
| 1990 | 12 | 0 |
| 1989 | 11 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | 8 | 0 |
| 1986 | 17 | 1 |
| 1985 | 9 | 0 |
| 1984 | 4 | 1 |
| 1983 | 6 | 0 |
| 1982 | 5 | 0 |
| 1981 | 4 | 0 |
| 1980 | 5 | 2 |
| 1979 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 5 | 0 |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 |
| 1976 | 3 | 0 |
| 1975 | 5 | 0 |
| 1974 | 2 | 1 |
| 1973 | 3 | 0 |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 8 | 0 |
| 1970 | 3 | 0 |
| 1967 | 2 | 0 |
| 1966 | 6 | 0 |
| 1965 | 2 | 0 |
| 1964 | 6 | 4 |
| 1963 | 4 | 0 |
| 1962 | 9 | 0 |
| 1960 | 4 | 1 |
| 1959 | 4 | 2 |
| 1958 | 2 | 0 |
| 1957 | 4 | 0 |
| 1956 | 7 | 2 |
| 1955 | 1 | 1 |
| 1954 | 1 | 1 |
| 1952 | 1 | 1 |