Pictures - Topeka tornado May 21, 2011

TOPEKA, Kansas - Violent storms swept through northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri Saturday night, and several tornadoes touched down including one on Topeka's west side.

The tornado touched down near 23rd and Fairlawn. Fairlawn is a major road on Topeka's west side.

VIDEO BELOW

Police confirmed the tornado around 6:35 p.m. A tornado also was confirmed to have touched down near Lake Perry, east of Topeka, around 7:30 p.m.

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/state/kansas/tornado-touchdown-confirmed-in-topeka

There is some damage here, they will have to sort out what was hail and what was tornado. One of the stations is saying E0 or E1 damage. There were several touchdowns around the entire northeast Kansas area. There is a very large tornado on the ground right now that actually showed a debris ball on radar over the town of Reading, moving through Osage County now. There was an early report of an older couple trapped in their mobile home in the area, but haven't heard of any other injuries at this point. It isn't over here just yet.

and some photos but have not had time to edit them, there is a lot of me moving around. I was downtown when it went over and stood outside and took video of the 2 funnels that went right over us. I will post a few tomorrow. It was exciting for a while.

My neighbor, Larry Miller, who is a professional photographer took these from my South pasture just North of his place. I was not home at the time. Right over the visible tree line is my house....right underneath these things. Glad I was not home.






EDIT because I had the directions mixed up

from the location where I was. The funnels went right over us. It was an awesome even if a little unnerving sight. It hailed like this for about 20-30 minutes. The trees were almost bare after it was over.

and it appears the tornado hit at least two other towns so far. No news yet. Facebook has postings from a lot of people from Reading who have lost everything and they are reporting injuries, a possible but unconfirmed death. The highway is closed to keep people out for now as emergency teams are setting up. Still going on. Headed for Johnson County so watch out.

It is still going on between here and Kansas City. It looked like Reading got hit twice. Same in Jefferson County up northeast of here, places like Perry and Oskaloosa had several warnings. Still listening for injury reports. Nothing is very clear yet, I am sure they will find more damage in the morning. The tv stations here in Topeka are reporting that Reading was destroyed. My prayers are with all those going through these storms.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43124039/ns/weather/

30 years ago. He checked my license, then insisted on searching my vehicle. My offense? Being from Emporia. "That's where our drugs come from".

He insisted on searching my vehicle, and I told him to kiss my ass. He kept insisting he could hold me until I submitted to the search. In the end I told him I was done talking, and he had to either arrest me for living in Emporia, or watch me leave.

I was also there for two tornadoes. Same part of town. Tornadoes like Emporia.

from the Cap Journal with an article.

http://cjonline.com/news/2011-05-21/hail-wind-rake-topeka

:pals:

I no longer live in Topeka but am just South of it. Nothing really bad happened here as far as I know, South of us it was different. The news from Reading, Kansas looks bad but we won't really know until tomorrow morning.

I was in Topeka when we had our F5, from the Southwest end of the city all the way through the entire cross section lifting just on the Northeast edge, 1/2 mile wide June 8th 1966. It took years to recover from it. I watched it from a close enough distance to see how huge and powerful it was. I was away from my home and did not have any contact with my family for about 6 hours. Terrifying.

My thoughts have been with you all. It is scary and tragic to see your city ripped apart. It really takes years to recover from the assault and the mess. :hug: Wishing you the best.

And thank you for caring about us down here.

Those tornadoes are bastards. I hate 'em.

:hi:

in Alabama?

That looks dangerous.
Stay safe!

when "the big one" hit Topeka.. She could not reach her parents for 3 days.. They lost their house, but were unharmed.. they managed to save all their pets.. even the fish :)

We had 3 in Salina, but not as much damage as Topeka got.. It was a wacky time.. her parents were worried about her in Salina with me, and she was worried sick about them and her little sister in Topeka..but no one had phone service for almost a week..and the roads were mostly barricaded.. we could not even get out of town for 2 days..

We lost a corner of our roof & a tree limb damaged my car, and our screen door was never-to-be-seen again..but that was all we had..

Driving my some home from Lawrence for the summer.

Got a little rain on the say up but the trip home was dry. Glad we missed the scary stuff!