A tornado moved through Ottawa, Kansas, on Monday evening, raising concerns about safety and damage. Fortunately, while the storm caused significant structural damage and widespread power outages, no injuries have been reported.
The tornado warning was issued around 7:25 p.m. as the storm tracked west to east through Franklin County. As the tornado approached, residents were urged to stay indoors and avoid any downed power lines.
As of 7:09 p.m., approximately 3,834 residents were without power, leaving large portions of the city in darkness. The Ottawa Police Department reported heavy damage concentrated between 15th and 19th streets, with specific areas experiencing severe impacts.
Brad Howard, a local resident, described the scene: “The T-Mobile store has had the front of the building ripped off,” he said, highlighting the extent of the destruction. At the Knights Inn located at 17th and Main, the roof was torn off, and the second floor suffered heavy damage.
Damage assessments revealed downed trees, wall and roof damage to a hotel, and even the roof was removed from a Daylight Donuts. The radio station KOFO lost power around 7:30 p.m. and has been off the air since.
Despite the chaos, the Ottawa Police Department confirmed that no injuries were reported, providing a sense of relief to the community. Residents have been advised to stay off the roads as cleanup efforts begin and to remain cautious of any hazardous conditions.
As the community comes together to assess the damage and begin recovery efforts, the focus will be on restoring power and ensuring the safety of all residents. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for power restoration.
