July 12, 2009 - Manhattan, KS Wind Event

A storm survey team from the National Weather Service in Topeka, KS investigated the storm damage in Manhattan, Kansas from early morning thunderstorms. It was determined a microburst near the leading edge of the thunderstorms tracked through portions of the city between approximately 5:50 am and 6:00 am CDT. The damage was confined to a 6 mile long track and roughly 1 mile wide inside the city. Virtually all damage indicators were blown in one direction towards the east-southeast, strongly suggestive of straight-line wind damage. Estimated peak wind speed gusts up to 80 mph were derived from the damage across the area.

The map above shows damage observed from the storm survey. Each yellow dot represents a point where one or more areas with severe wind damage were noted (this consists of tree limbs greater than 6 inches broken, trees uprooted or snapped, and structural damage).

A zoomed in look at some of the worst damage across Manhattan. This includes areas just south of the Kansas State University campus along Anderson Ave, neighborhoods near Central Park, and residential areas just west of downtown and north of Highway 18. Each yellow dot represents a point where one or more areas with severe wind damage were noted (this consists of tree limbs greater than 6 inches broken, trees uprooted or snapped, and structural damage).

The KTWX radar at 5:59 am CDT showing the line of thunderstorms as they tracked through Manhattan.

A large tree was snapped off near the base and landed on a parked car at an apartment complex.

A large tree was snapped off near the middle of the trunk near Central Park.

Part of the roof at the Holiday Inn Manhattan at the Campus on Anderson Ave was removed and landed on several parked cars in the parking lot. Damage resulted to several parked cars with significant water damage to rooms on the top floor of the hotel.

Roofing material was removed off the University Gardens apartment complex with several powerlines downed.