Powerful Tornado Strikes Kansas, USA... Dozens of Buildings Destroyed

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] A powerful tornado struck central Kansas in the United States, destroying dozens of buildings and causing widespread power outages, resulting in significant damage.

On the 30th (local time), CNN reported, citing Kansas officials, that a strong tornado hit the Wichita area in Kansas that night, with an estimated 50 to 100 buildings collapsing in Andover. Chad Russell, fire chief of Andover, said, "Many buildings suffered severe damage," adding, "Some homes were completely blown away."

Power was cut off to about 20,000 facilities, including homes and businesses, but has since been gradually restored. Due to the damage, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly declared a state of emergency across the state.

Although the building damage was extensive, fortunately, as of the morning of the 30th, only a few injuries have been reported. No fatalities have been confirmed so far.

The damage was caused by tornadoes that occurred simultaneously across Kansas and Nebraska. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center, 14 tornadoes occurred in Kansas and Nebraska on the 29th. Additionally, in Enterprise, Kansas, hailstones measuring 10 cm in diameter fell, and over 70 cases of strong wind damage and about 50 cases of hail damage were reported in the area.

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