NBC Action Communities

I am still here and I am very concerned about what I am hearing out of Manhattan.  This could be bad.  Hopefully the preliminary reports are wrong.

Mike

---------------------

Mike,

Thanks for hanging in there with us.  The thunderstorms are weakening.  We are on with an update soon on NBC Action News.

Gary

Looks pretty bad. Was a large Tornado

Think WIBW is getting major damage reports

Well, Gary, I WAS going to bed. Now I know that I probably won't fall asleep. If I do manage to fall asleep, I'll have to get up and check out what you are saying about the storm once it arrives since now I'm worrying it will be severe.

There is no better weather center in the metro. You guys do an incredible job. Thank you!

I'm here, also. I have some friends near Omaha. Does it look like supercells are heading up that way?

Still hanging with you, Gary. I'm most concerned about hail. The last batch of t-storms flooded my basement, my garage is full of all the basement storage boxes, and my cars are out in the weather. What's the word on hail?

Hi Gary,
There are lots of lurkers here waiting to see what is going to happen weather wise. I know that I will sleep lightly tonight. Thanks for watching out for us.
Audra in Lee's Summit

Where have you seen the reports of damage in Manhattan, KS? Is there a link to the reports? Think you guys always do a terrific job.

WOW.  Wonder how rough these cells will still be by the time they are near SW Johnson County, Ks......will they arrive within two hours?

Andrew

Just got home from the Royals game and had several messages on my phone from my husband who was driving to Sioux City and driving right through the tornado that hit in Iowa.  He is a trained weather spotter, but has only gone out a few times.  He radioed in about what he was seeing (large trees on the highways) and then they issued a tornado warning for the area.  He said that even the trained experienced weather spotters there were having a really hard time viewing the tornado as it was completely rain wrapped.  He stuck around for a bit (in safe areas he says) and saw the response immediately after.  He said at least 50 emergency vehicles responded immediately.  He is pretty rattled by all that he saw and continues to see on CNN.  

I appreciate all the weather team does for us.  I feel so lucky to have a team that is always on top of things.  Last weekend we were in Omaha when at 3 a.m. we had a tornado warning, I just kept asking where was Gary when I needed him!  I was clueless as to what county we were in, etc.  Very difficult situation, but luckily we were not in harms way.  

Anyway, I am staying up for your report! Thanks again for everything!

Sirens going off in Topeka though Topeka is not technically in the tornado warning.  The warning is for north of Topeka in Shawnee Co.  Boy, what a night...Mike in SW Topeka.

Definitely here Gary - have to be up at 5:30, but hinky with everything going on.  Window cracked open a bit, radio on, and going against personal rules of having laptop and tv on this late...  Thanks for the updates!

Man......damage reports just keep coming in from Manhattan.  I won't state somethng that might not be true so I won't post specific reports but there could be significant damage there.  Bad night.

Gary keep us informed please. My Folks live in Topeka.

My buddy lives in manhattan. Luckily his house was missed by the tornado. He went up to campus and called me telling me there were trees uprooted and debris in the streets. But he didn't see any structural damage on campus. Hopefully there wasn't anything worse than that. I am going to have a tough time sleeping because I have other friends in town that I haven't heard from.
 BTW, this is my first post. I have been a long time follower of the blog but haven't signed up until now.  Hopefully I can make positive contributions to the weather discussions.

Still here...just came in from doing some patch work to correct some shoddy work a roofer did. Major leak due to some improper flashing. Oh well, my problems seem minor compared to what just happened in Manhattan, and those poor kids up in Western Iowa. Prayers and good wishes for all of those people.

How much sleep is the weather team getting? You're doing a great job, but I wish I wasn't seeing quite so much of you. Nothing personal, though :)

Hey FAT welcome aboard and thanks for your post.

I am watching the live stream on WIBW.com.

Kristi

Manhattan had major damage on the south west side up through campus.  True value hardware, Manhattan toyota/honda completely destroyed, windows blown out on some of the major dorms on KSU campus, trees down all over campus.  emergecy vehicles having trouble getting arround parts of town due to debris.  

Hello Gary and weather team. I know you all are busy but I was just wondering what the severe chances are for the Liberty/Claycomo area in these overnight hours? I usually ask Simplykristi or HailJohnathan but I don't see then on here tonight. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Thanks for your on-air update Gary!!!  Hoping for your feeling on the continued weakening!!

that's quite a cuplet up in Jackson County

thanks for keeping us updated gary, i've been watching your cut-ins.  kristy

Chief, I'm here for ya buddy. I, Or Gary don't see a big threat for the KC area, OR Liberty tonight. we might have some regular rumble tumble storms but i don't think anything severe tonight but just in case you should pay attention to warnings.

Gary and the team, what do you all think about the cells that are trying to emerge from down around Emporia?  Would those have the same severe potential as the storms up north?  I ask because they seem to be headed more in the direction of the metro.

Thanks for the cut in and the update.  You guys do an awesome job of keeping us all informed as always.  

Hi Gary, cheers for the update. What are your opinions for St Joe? I was just about to head to bed, but I was wondering what you thought. It looks like its headed straight for us. :(

Check out what is forming to the south of Emporia, looks to be strengthening fairly rapidly. I would imagine that the tornado threat would be very low with these storms, but they could produce hail, and they are moving in off the the east, towards the city.

David

You are not kidding, Hail, unfortunately it went directly over Soldier, KS.  It was the nastiest couplet I have seen tonight.

I have rabbit ears out so I can watch the topeka station, so missing what gary is saying.

There is an outstanding light show coming out of this storm in Jackson County.  Damage bad in Manhatten.  North side of K-State lots of damage.

I'm here too, for a few anyway & trying to catch up on things, had to work a late shift tonight.  Missed Gary on TV, darn it.  Are things calming down now?

still here...concerned about further development showing up on radar further South, which would seem to track through KC Metro.  Looks disorganized now, but what is the atmosphere like in between for stronger development?  Do you have updated timing...looks to be sooner than expected now as it seems they have sped up

I'm not really concerned with those storms developing down by Emporia. They are just developing with the instability in the atmosphere but the tornado threat should be going down.

If anyone is interested you can watch live dash cam of a chaser in Manhattan right now......

http://thestormreport.com/livetrack.php/

Hey Simplykristi,
What is the link for that channel in topeka?

I just talked to my buddy again. He drove down Manhattan Ave. to Anderson and went west towards westloop. He said the debris got worse as he went further west. There were trees down and debris everywhere but he didn't see any destroyed houses. He did hear on the radio that the hardware store on the west side of town was wiped out. Im optimistic that nobody was killed out there. Ill be praying for that anyway!!  

Hey, thanks Hail. I saw your name and Simplykristi right after I posted. LOL. I will be on here watching the posts and asking more question as the storms move closer. Like I told Kristi month or so back, I have to be driven to shelter so I like to know how the storms are gonna be in advance. Thats why I ask so many question. Thankfully the people on this blog and the weather team are very helpful.

Thanks again

Hail I hope you're right.  Gary just said on air that he didn't think the storms coming up from the south would be as strong as the ones up north so I guess we just keep our eye on them.  

still here---watching WIBW....I can't believe that this day turned into what it did....I think it might be a while before I get some sleep...

Hope you are right jonathan, I am close to emporia

I would have to disagree.  The cell near Emporia seems to be getting its act together and looks to have at least some rotation in it.  While I do agree that the tornado threat is decreasing, it's that southern part of this line that bears watching.

no problem Chief! Aurora, yeah i'm really honestly not worried about them. I get this gut wrenching feeling in my gut when I get scared of a storm and i'm totally relaxed right now. I just don't see a reason to be afraid right now. remember guys i'm not in a good place either I'm in an exposed 1 bedroom apartment on the South side of the complex so I have reasons to be concerned if i were concerned but i'm really not. i would tell you if I were. If I lived up in St Joseph I would be a little more worried but honestly the way the storm structure is on that one it doesn't look that even if it were to produce a tornado, that it woould be a weak one not a strong one.

but then again, I am just an amateur!  Gary's the one we should probably listen too :)

The most important thing is. Just Pay attention to warnings okay? that's the most important thing to do. It's okay to go to bed tonight. but just pay attention to warnings if you have a weather radio but honestly I don't think your going to need that if your from North KC South. Don't hold me to that though, that's just what it's looking like

Gary was just on said nothign about rotation with those cells Jeffro..we don't need to get people scared tonight.

I really need to get a weather radio. I've been relying on the KSHB severe texts but I got a new phone and it's confusing.  They sell them at ALL Price Choppers, correct?

I just came in with the dogs, and seems the winds out there are dying down some, hopefully that is good?  Temp seems to have dropped down a smidge too.  I don't know about the dynamics involved, lol.. just need a good nights sleep - have to be up at 6am all over again.

Yes, aurora, all area Price Choppers.

yes aurora. Again No Rotation or anything severe about the storms developing to the south, Gary just confirmed that on TV. Guys if you need to get to sleep tonight you can go ahead and get to sleep. I'm going to stay on here for a little while longer until everybody feels safe.

Thank you!

There is a storm redeveloping in Jackson County KS, heading NE towards NE KS and the ST Josph area so please be aware there. although there is no warning out on that new cell yet.

Jefferson County Stormspotters released with possible reactivation later

Hey Jonathan,
Just out of curiosity (if I spelled that right) how old are you?

26 years young Becky.

how bout you Becky?

I would be 29.  My 13 yr old says I am old though :)

Yeah Hail, I'm with you. I was worried but I think those storms down to the South will just be run of the mill rumblers, especially after Gary's last break-in. However, I will feel alot better when the storms are completly gone. I need to move somewhere with NO TORNADOS. LOL.

Westar is saying 3600 without power in Riley County, 4400 in Saline
Severe Thunderstorm Warning, N Shawnee, North Jefferson, East Jackson County Ks.  14 miles NW Topeka, 80+mph winds  Warning until 1:30AM movement NE 40mph

You know what though Chieffan, no matter where you go there will be something that mother nature can throw at you!  

lol Becky.
Yeah Chief these cells down to the south hold no water compared to the ones up north.

Tornado on ground NW of Holton
Storm Spotter reactivation Jefferson County KS -- Rock Creek, Valley Falls, Winchester, Oskaloosa, Perry

You Married Becky?

Starting to hear thunder now, ugh!!!!!  Will these rains weaken tommorow's chances?

that storm just north of topeka looks mean.

this is my first time on the blog and I'm glad to see there are others up until storms have passed too.  We moved from out of state this fall and I've never experienced anything like this.  I feel like I sleep every other night!  Glad I found you all!

Happily with 1 4yr old son of mine and my hubbys and I have 3 step children 13 girl and 11 and 9 boys.

I was beginning to think that cell looked suspicious David.

First-time blogger. I've checked WIBW. From what I understand (don't quote me on this) the tornado missed Manhattan (barely), but they got destructive straightline winds that did damage. Dickinson County (SW of Manhattan) got absolutely rocked. They've had reports that a significant part of Chapman, Kansas (in Dickinson County) is destroyed. I also have reports from the Storm Prediction Center that Atchison, Kansas is getting rocked with destructive winds and possible rain-wrapped tornadoes.

I can hang for a bit.. My dad can't sleep so won't stay too long.

Kristi

Damage at KSU -- Wind Erosion Lab destroyed

I just got married Last November. Kids are not in the forecast however(I hope)

I am glad that Gary does not "hype" things up and break in when not needed like one "other" station I know....Thanks Gary for all your hard work and dependability.

maybe manhattan was getting hit with the rear flanking winds from the tornado. welcome to the blog by the way

Hi kristi, glad your family made it safe, did they see anything?

GrumpyRed. These storms tonight will leave Boundaries laying across the viewing area so depending where these boundaries line up will depend on who sees the most significant weahter and the heaviest rain.

You are right bewild but I could deal with a lot of things better than I deal with these types of severe weather. My perfect situation would be somewhere that has winter weather all year round. Maybe I should move to Alaska. LOL.

This is crazy weather this spring.  Is it like this every year?  What about the KC area, do we just wait and watch the thunderstorms to the south of us?

If there is new information on a tornado warning I would rather have them break into programming.  Especially at night when you can't really always see what's coming at you.

Becky is that other station you know blonde? lol

Well gotta get up at 6 so thankfully it looks like I will sleep ok.  Everyone have a good night and stay safe!
Becky

Red cross setting up in manhattan

bean the thunderstorms to the south of us aren't going to do anything.

G'night Becky!

KSU Damage update -- building with nuclear reactor damaged, reactor is not damaged reported on WiBW

Lilly,
I wasnt saying not to break in...just the fact of how other stations kinda overdo it.  There is one that is been on constant coverage when no one else is and Gary breaks in at commercials which since the threat is not too bad now, that works..I would want the break in too  I hate this kind of weather.

yea Jonathan lol but its not blonde tonight...o wow they are finally stopping. lol

I love Lucy huh?

WIBW has been on air non stop for 4 hours

David I heard that about the ractor, no leaks.  I didn't know they dealt with that.

Thanks for the info there Jonathan.  Maybe I can go to bed now.  I must say the other station had me in quite the panic last Thursday.  Not being from this area or used to this weather I thought all was ending!  I'm all for breaking in but I like how Gary seems to keep it real!  Thank you!

Bean Don't watch other stations...watch NBC Action Weather with Gary Lezak, Jeremy Nelson, Brett Anthony and Producer Jeff Penner! lol

Yeah bean I have to say if you are easy to panic (like me) do NOT watch the other station, they really over do it and say things that seem specifically for the purpose of getting people into a frenzy.  Gary and Jeremy just give the facts without the drama. :)

Jonathan you still think the cells down to the south are looking good?  I see there are no warnings on any of them.  

they may get a little stronger as they approach here but I dont anticipate them becoming severe no.

I've got some new info from Manhattan. The northside of Chapman, Kansas, was completely destroyed with several rescues and two reported injuries. The SW side of Manhattan was heavily damaged: roofs blown off buildings, cars overturned, (comparatively) minor damage to several buildings at KSU, and a destroyed wind erosion lab. Significant structural damage in one subdivision, no reported injuries as of yet. Sounds like Kearney, Nebraska all over again, except slightly less damage and only one tornado. What's this, 3-4 damaging tornadoes a week now?

Extensive Damage -- Mayetta, Pottawatomie Reservation, Holton

people who are scared. Remember just because a storm has a lot of thunder and lightning with it does NOT mean its severe so if one of these cells comes up from the south hits you and is a really loud one, doesn't mean it's severe okay?

I like loud lightening and thunder as long as we don't have tornados, that's good sleeping weather. :)

they are starting to lift counties out of the tornado watch the threat is diminishing especially west of topeka.

The storm east of Emporia approaching will, if it intensifies until it gets here, produce marginal severe (quarter hail, 60 mph winds). Even that's unlikely. We're lucky. North of Topeka they had 70-90 mph winds detected on radar according to SPC. Parts of Salina, Manhattan, and Omaha have all experienced damage from either destructive straightline winds or tornadoes. The most serious was the Little Sioux Boys Scout Camp. Western Iowa, once again. We've been really lucky.

I was watching Kory's cam earlier and lost connection, I am reading some reports on the stormtrack site and it is saying  "Kenny Allen and Kory Hartman are OK! They tried getting out of the way of a Rain Wrapped tornado and took a direct hit. There is debris everywhere! They were streamed live on WOWT TV in Omaha"

Storms have decreased significantly in Jefferson County KS and to the wesy.  Time for bed and get up and see Manhatten/KSU on the news in the morning.

Thunder and lightning during the day is fine, but for me I really don't like it at night!  It's the unknown!

I think the storms more north of I-70 and even farther than that are being more influenced by the upper level low and thats why they've been more dangerous tonight but the ones to the south are just developing from the heat and humidity. That's my perspective on things

currently no warnings in effect

Wow you're right nothing even has any warnings anymore.  

ST Joseph about to get hit with a pretty good storm.

I saw when Kory got hit.  I didn't know that's what I was watching though.  It was insane.

I told you you can pretty much rest easy tonight=) a lot of people call me an amateur and just a hobbyist and stuff but i'm pretty smart and know what I'm talking about.

Think they're going to leave this watch on until 3 still?

that's one thing I'm not very good at..is reading the SPC's mind;) lol

Its really starting to rain hard here. The weather service is watching it very closely for the St Joe area. I really cant sleep until this is over with. Love storms, but not tornadic ones at night.

Lily, I lost feed and it came back briefly and I noticed a window was busted then lost the feed again

stjoegirl i know it must be scary right now, on radar it's blood red but you're under no warnings right now and it doesn't look like the type of storm that would produce a tornado. It just looks like it's producing a lot of heavy rain and maybe some small hail. I think you'll be okay it shouldn't last too much longer.

Oh cmon Jonathan pull out your crystal ball.  Haha just kidding although I am interested to know what has to be involved for them to pull watches.  I'm sure it's a hard thing as they would want to be as sure as possible.  

well they just pulled the watch for us. we are no longer under a tornado watch

NW missouri still is but I bet they'll yank that pretty soon too.

I see that some of the counties have been pulled from the watch but on the NOAA site I see that there are two counties in Kansas (near Emporia) that are still under a Tornado Watch unill 3am. Does anyone know why they would leave those two lone counties but pull the rest?

Thanks

Yeah its not bad, the storm relative velocity doesnt look too threatening. I cant stand the weather radio, and I would rather be safe than sorry. But wow, the lightening and thunder is crazy! Thank you for giving me peace of mind though!

yeah SJ Girl I was just looking at the storm relative too and didn't find anything either so your gonna be fine just sit back and enjoy what I wish I was enjoying!

Chief...that's a good observation, I have no freakin idea. I wouldn't worry about it though.

okay guys i'm goin night night. have a good night everyone!

I guess I probably should too.  Goodnight Jonathan and anyone else who is still on here!

just south of 2 and a quarter inches in st jo. still raining  lightly.