Tragedy struck the small city of Westmoreland in northeastern Kansas as a tornado tore through, claiming the life of one person and destroying nearly two dozen homes.
Reports from Pottawatomie County officials on Facebook indicated that the tornado hit Westmoreland on Tuesday evening, causing extensive damage to multiple structures. First responders were actively searching the area to assess the destruction and assist any individuals who may have been injured.
A spokesperson for Pottawatomie County confirmed the unfortunate fatality in a news release, withholding the identity of the deceased pending family notification. Additionally, three individuals sustained injuries, although none were deemed critical.
The tornado left a trail of destruction, destroying twenty-two homes, five outbuildings, and an estimated three RVs in a nearby RV park in north Westmoreland.
As of late Tuesday night, the entire city of Westmoreland was without power, as disclosed by the county spokesperson. Westmoreland is located approximately 45 miles northwest of Topeka.
Social media images captured the tornado on the ground in Westmoreland, along with the aftermath of damaged homes, uprooted trees, and a flipped semi-truck.
Following the devastation caused by tornadoes in Oklahoma on Sunday, Tuesday's storms brought further destruction, with four people killed and at least 100 injured. Prior to this, tornadoes wreaked havoc in Nebraska and Iowa on Friday, resulting in demolished homes and businesses, as well as one fatality.
