Tornado in Thomas County, Kansas

Intermittent tornado damage included farm residence and storage buildings roofs torn off, high voltage electricty towers destroyed,irrigation rigs over-turned, trees snapped. Extensive crop damage from tornado, highs winds, and large hail. Tornado moved nearly due east at 25 mph and entered Sheridan County. One woman was slightly injured while in her home during the tornado. A mobile home was completely destroyed.

The tornado developed about 4 miles SSE of Brewster near Roads 3 and M. The tornado traveled north-northeast at speeds of 50 mph, passing east of Brewster and dissipating about 4 miles northeast of Brewster near roads 4 and T. One farmstead south of Interstate 70 received damage to outbuildings, trees, a large grain bin and utility poles on the property. Fortunately only minor roof damage occurred as the large tree branches fell on the house. Further northeast several utility poles were snapped and at least one irrigation pivot was overturned. Numerous outbuildings were also damaged at a farm near Roads 4 and R as the tornado moved northeast.

A tornado developed approximately 2 miles south of Colby at Interstate 70 and highway 25 and traveled 5 miles to the northwest before dissipating. The tornado developed near the Oasis Travel Plaza at 649 pm CDT and dissipated at 659 pm CDT over open fields west of town. The tornado moved northwest at approximately 30 mph. A damage survey team rated the tornado an F1 on the Fujita Scale.The tornado injured 4 people as a result of flying glass and debris at the nearby Comfort Inn, which sustained damage with debris piercing the outside walls, while awnings and tables were also damaged. A 45 foot sign supported by three "I" beams was bent over to the ground. A car dealership reported damage to about 15-20 vehicles with one vehicle a total loss. Most of the damage was due to debris breaking windows and denting the vehicles. A semi truck and trailer parked at the gas station and was lifted and pushed into another truck.