A strong storm system brought thunderstorms with hail and damaging winds to western and central Kansas.

There was a report of quarter sized hail in Nickerson, in Reno County, with the storm activity, and the storms also had winds of 60 to 70 miles an hour as indicated by radar. There were a few tornado warnings in western Kansas late Monday afternoon as radar indicated rotation, but no tornadoes were confirmed.   Apple-sized hail was reported in Ellinwood, and golf ball sized hail fell in Barton County and in Smith County.

The storms downed trees and power lines in southeast Kansas.  Schools in West Elk, in Howard in Elk County, were closed Tuesday because of a power outage.

McConnell Air Force Base relocated its KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft to other military bases outside the local area to protect the aircraft from potential damage, and preserve mission capability for McConnell Air Force Base to provide Air Refueling, Airlift and Aeromedical Evacuation worldwide.  The remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars.  This was the third relocation in four weeks, because of severe weather.

Some area school districts, including Wichita, Maize, Mulvane, Andover,  Newton, Augusta, Rose Hill, Udall and Derby, canceled evening practices and activities in anticipation of severe weather.  The City of Wichita closed the public library branches at 3 p.m. Monday and canceled afternoon and evening classes for CityArts and the Park and Recreation departments. Butler Community College and WSU Tech ended classes early and canceled evening classes.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation to have state resources ready to help local communities.

[ image:  National Weather Service ]