Tornado in Stafford County, Kansas

This tornado moved north/northwest and unfortunately claimed two lives. The tornado hit a house (among trees, outbuildings, fences) and the persons involved were parked under a tree in the drive way of the home. Tragically, the very large tree was uprooted and landed on the vehicle. A female (age 21) that was in the back seat was severely injured. A female (age 56) and her son (age 17) in the front seat were crushed and apparently killed instantly. The tornado moved on into Barton county at 606 PM. The house received EF2 damage and the occupant of the home was in the basement, but arrived there less than 30 seconds before the tornado hit.

This killer tornado formed just east of another large but dissipating tornado that was approaching Macksville. Unfortunately a law officer watching the dissipating tornado was unaware that this one was rapidly forming and could not get out of harms way. His car was thrown at least 1/4 of a mile and was found in a field. He died several days later from catastrophic injuries received in the crushed vehicle. EF3 damage was done to over a dozen farms, trees, machinery, vehicles, pivot irrigation sprinklers and power poles.

The tornado moved into Stafford County from Pratt County. The tornado was 1/4 of a mile wide as it moved into Stafford County. The tornado destroyed or damaged six buildings at a farmstead 13 miles southwest of St. John. Buildings at an abandoned farmstead 9.5 miles southwest of St. KANSAS Cont'd John were also destroyed or damaged. Large cottonwood trees were snapped or uprooted along the path of the tornado. Two center pivot irrigation systems were also destroyed. Telephone poles were knocked down on the east side of St. John.