Kanopolis Lake, KS EF4 Tornado – April 14, 2012

Per the SPC, 83 tornadoes occurred on April 14, 2012.  Just over half of them (42) were in the state of KS.  The strongest tornado for the day was one of the 42:  It was an EF4 that traveled through parts of Rice, Ellsworth, McPherson and Saline Counties.  Total path length was 50.28 miles.  The max width was 400 yards.  There were no injuries and no fatalities reported. The EF4 damage was found near Kanopolis Lake in Ellsworth County.

Here is the damage/track information from the NWS:

Rice County:

Gutters stripped from house and shingle damage.  Five power poles snapped and launched into a wheat field.  Two truck axles laying in a wheat field from an unknown vehicle.  Several large tree trunks snapped and twisted.  EF2 tornado rating.  Numerous large cottonwood tree trunks snapped. This tornado moved into Ellsworth county.

Ellsworth County:

Tornado scoured and dug out a section gravel road about 4 to 5 inches deep.  Home was swept off foundation and destroyed with small stair case remaining in center.  Debris from home was tossed into adjacent tree line to the northeast.  Numerous trees around the house were snapped and shredded.  Some trees were also debarked from the intense wind speeds.  Car was flipped and tossed upside down.  This tornado moved into McPherson County.

McPherson:

Large tornado moved across open country and only damaged trees.  This tornado moved into Saline County.

Saline:

Major damage to large trees along the path and to a farm house near Smolan.