Russell County Kansas Emergency Management

10/01/2026

Lincoln KS-Russell KS-
732 PM CDT Wed Sep 30 2026
..FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 AM CDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Localized flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...Northwestern Lincoln County in central Kansas...
Russell County in central Kansas...

* WHEN...Until 830 AM CDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Localized flooding of creeks, streams, and other
low-lying and flood-prone locations is likely.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 732 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated between 1 and 3 inches of
rain have fallen across the warned area.
- Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in the
warned area through the evening.
- Some locations that may experience localized floodinginclude...
Russell, Lucas, Gorham, Luray, Dorrance, Bunker Hill, Paradise,
Waldo, Wilson Lake, Russell Airport and Ash Grove.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Flooding is a coast-to-coast threat to some part of the United States and its territories nearly every day of the year. This site is designed to teach you how to stay safe in a flood event. If you know what to do before, during, and after a flood you can increase your chances of survival and bet...

09/30/2026

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wichita KS
614 PM CDT Wed Sep 30 2026

The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
Northwestern Lincoln County in central Kansas...
Northeastern Russell County in central Kansas...

* Until 700 PM CDT.

* At 614 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Sylvan Grove, or 12 miles north of Wilson, moving
northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
Sylvan Grove around 620 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Wilson
State Park, Ash Grove, and Wilson Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
Wichita.

&&

LAT...LON 3922 9804 3888 9855 3894 9870 3913 9851
3913 9849 3915 9849 3922 9842
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 226DEG 30KT 3901 9848

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

09/30/2026

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wichita KS
551 PM CDT Wed Sep 30 2026

The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Lincoln County in central Kansas...
Southeastern Russell County in central Kansas...

* Until 615 PM CDT.

* At 551 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Dorrance, or 7
miles northwest of Wilson, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* The tornado will be near...
Sylvan Grove around 600 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Wilson
State Park, Wilson Lake, and Bunker Hill.

This includes Interstate 70 between Mile Markers 189 and 203.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3898 9822 3887 9846 3887 9848 3886 9849
3875 9872 3884 9882 3914 9843
TIME...MOT...LOC 2251Z 232DEG 46KT 3889 9860

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

09/30/2026

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wichita KS
502 PM CDT Wed Sep 30 2026

The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Russell County in central Kansas...
North central Barton County in central Kansas...

* Until 530 PM CDT.

* At 502 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 6 miles southeast of
Milberger, or 10 miles north of Hoisington, moving northeast at 35
mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed multiple tornadoes.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southeastern Russell and north central Barton Counties.

This includes Interstate 70 near Mile Marker 195.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
Wichita.

&&

LAT...LON 3870 9888 3887 9867 3874 9849 3872 9849
3864 9865 3868 9871
TIME...MOT...LOC 2202Z 226DEG 29KT 3866 9883

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

09/30/2026

HEADS-UP: any potential tornado today will be almost impossible to see on radar, so viewers and storm spotters will be ESSENTIAL for getting warnings out in a timely fashion

The lower cloud bases due to the tropical air mass will keep any rotation closer to the ground compared to normal, so the radar beams, which go up in elevation the farther you get away from the radar site won't be able to see the rotation

Some warnings may go out *after* a tornado has formed which will dramatically reduce the time you have to prepare

With all of that said, these will be relatively weak and short lived tornadoes. The best chance will be along and north of a Great Bend to Wichita line between 12 pm and 6 pm

09/30/2026

4:27 PM: NWS is canceling the northern Barton/ southern Russell tornado warning. The storm has significantly decreased in intensity and is running into more stable air.

09/30/2026

September 30, 2026 - 4:18PM Update: A tornado is possible just southwest of Albert, and another is possible between Susank and Galatia. Seek shelter if in these areas!

09/30/2026

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wichita KS
413 PM CDT Wed Sep 30 2026

The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Russell County in central Kansas...
Northwestern Barton County in central Kansas...

* Until 445 PM CDT.

* At 412 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 6 miles south of
Milberger, or 10 miles northwest of Hoisington, moving north at 35
mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* The tornado will be near...
Milberger around 420 PM CDT.

This includes Interstate 70 between Mile Markers 182 and 185, and
between Mile Markers 187 and 189.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3856 9885 3858 9894 3887 9891 3884 9862
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 195DEG 30KT 3863 9890

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

09/30/2026

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 675 IN
EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN KANSAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 11 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL KANSAS

BARTON ELLSWORTH LINCOLN
MARION MCPHERSON RICE
RUSSELL SALINE

IN EAST CENTRAL KANSAS

CHASE

IN SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS

HARVEY RENO

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF COTTONWOOD FALLS, ELLSWORTH,
GREAT BEND, HILLSBORO, HUTCHINSON, LINCOLN, LYONS, MARION,
MCPHERSON, NEWTON, PEABODY, RUSSELL, SALINA, STERLING,
STRONG CITY, SYLVAN GROVE, AND WILSON.

09/30/2026

Additional showers and storms are beginning to develop this afternoon. Most will produce heavy rainfall, and some could produce brief tornadoes and gusty winds. Have multiple ways to receive warnings and weather information.