Kansas Portion of Entry:
Severe thunderstorm developed south of Emporia and moved northeastward to southern Kansas City, MO from about 5:30 to 8pm. A number of funnel clouds and tornadoes were spawned by this thunderstorm cell. At Hartford, 14 miles southeast of Emporia, tornado at 5:45pm followed short, east-southeastward path through town, damaging trees, roofs and windows with damage of $300.
Funnel cloud aloft sighted southeast of Quenemo, Osage County, about 6pm had a white appearance.
Funnel observed aloft about 2 miles west of Madison, Greenwood County, at 6:15pm, had well-defined “elephant trunk” appearance; struck ground near junction of 2 branches of Verdigris River, 1-1/2 miles northwest of Madison and moved northeastward. Trees, old sheds and minor roof damage done. Had roar louder than jet plane.
Main tornado of this storm struck ground about 2 miles southwest of Williamsburg, Franklin County, about 6:15pm and followed northeastern course of 71 miles to about 2 miles northeast of Knobtown, MO. Kansas part of path approximately 57 miles. Tornado passed out of Kansas 1 mile southwest of Martin City, MO at 7:37pm.
Another tornado left damage path of about 7 miles adjacent to and paralleled with main path from 1 mile northeast of Williamsburg to about 3 miles northeast of Homewood.
3 funnels observed east of Ottawa in addition to main tornado. 1 funnel sighted aloft and heard as it passed northeastward over Overland Park and Fairway.
Main tornado on ground virtually all the length of path. Noise of tornado terrific and could be heard at least 5 minutes in advance. Debris carried to height of 30,000 feet and to many miles from damage path. Cloud was well-defined funnel variously described from light to dark, and which because larger and narrower near its termination. Destruction indicated great intensity of storms. Damage to property estimated at $1,000,000; to crops $10,000.
Missouri Portion of Entry:
Tornado first spotted at 6:15pm near Williamsburg, KS. It was tracked by radar and reported by persons observing storms along its entire track. Crossed Kansas-Missouri border just north of southwestern corner of Jackson County at 7:37pm. From there it hit Martin City, Ruskin Heights and near Knobtown. Speed of motion calculated at from 31.4 to as much as 46.9 mph at various times along its path.
Some indications tornado lifted near Knobtown, then either came back down, or another funnel formed near Sibley then moved into Ray County across river. Witnesses at Hardin and Richmond told of seeing tornado and considerable damage to property done at Richmond about 8:30pm. Debris from Hickman Mills found later at Ottawa, IA and at many points in north-central Missouri.
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