The first of two potential rounds of severe weather for the 4th of July produced gusty winds and isolated damage reports.
The National Weather Service in Wichita reported a 74 mile an hour wind gust at Hutchinson Regioal Airport as storms came through the area. 60 mile an hour wind gusts were reported in Inman, northwest of Halstead, and at Goessel and Hillsboro.
A streetlight was blown over in Moundridge, while a power pole was blown down along K-15 just south of Goessel where tree limbs and power lines were downed. A Carport was reported blown over in Newton.
The Storm Prediction Center says there is a level 2 risk for severe storms later this afternoon into this evening across central Kansas. Storms are currently expected to develop later this afternoon and become more numerous this evening.
The main hazards for tonight are 60 to 75 mile an hour winds, hail up to tennis ball size, and heavy rain which may cause localized flooding. A few brief tornadoes are also possible this evening.
There is still some uncertainty as to where storms are expected to develop, which may depend on storm development in northwest Kansas this afternoon.
Additionally, heat index values could exceed 100 degrees this afternoon in south central Kansas.
