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Tornado Strikes Ottawa, Kansas, Leaving 12,000 Without Power

4/14/2026

24 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A tornado struck Ottawa, Kansas, at 7:15 p.m. on April 13, 2026, causing extensive damage.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed tornadoes in Franklin County and near Pleasanton as storms produced hail and damaging winds.
NWS issued a tornado watch for parts of Kansas and Missouri through 11:00 p.m. CDT.
As of 10:05 p.m., about 12,000 customers in east-central Kansas were without power, and emergency services were assessing damage.

History

Historical Context

The Great Tri-State Tornado struck on March 18, 1925, killing 695 people across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, making it the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. This catastrophic event prompted significant advancements in tornado tracking and warning systems by the National Weather Service, which have since reduced fatalities during severe weather events, as seen in the recent tornado in Ottawa, Kansas, affecting 12,000 customers.

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Story summary

A tornado struck Ottawa, Kansas, at 7:15 p.m. on April 13, 2026, causing extensive damage.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed tornadoes in Franklin County and near Pleasanton as storms produced hail and damaging winds.
NWS issued a tornado watch for parts of Kansas and Missouri through 11:00 p.m. CDT.
As of 10:05 p.m., about 12,000 customers in east-central Kansas were without power, and emergency services were assessing damage.

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