In the evening hours of April 29, 2022, a strong and well-documented multi-vortex tornado moved through the city of Andover, located in the state of Kansas. The tornado tracked 12.8 miles (20.6 km) through the area, injuring three and inflicting severe damage to structures located on the eastern side of Andover.
 The tornado at EF3 intensity in Andover, seen roping in and out in front of the City Hall. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 29, 2022, 8:10 p.m. CST (UTC–06:00) |
| Dissipated | April 29, 2022, 8:31 p.m. CST (UTC–06:00) |
| Duration | 21 minutes |
| EF3 tornado | |
| on the Enhanced Fujita scale | |
| Highest winds | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 3 |
| Damage | $41.5 million (2022 USD) |
| Areas affected | Sedgewick County, Kansas, particularly Andover |
Part of the Tornadoes of 2022 | |
The tornado first touched down southwest of Andover in Sedgwick County, producing EF0 and EF1 damage to farmsteads and other buildings. The tornado rapidly intensified as it approached the town, damaging numerous structures at EF2 intensity prior to entering city limits. The tornado reached EF3 intensity in eastern Andover, where it destroyed several multi-story homes and damaged a YMCA fitness center that served the town. The tornado was on the ground for 21 minutes while tracking 12.8 miles (20.6 km) through the area.
Meteorological synopsis
editA powerful low pressure system approached Kansas on April 29, allowing a sharp dryline to track to generally along Interstate 135. Storms first developed across central and northeast Kansas near the warm front, but as the early evening hours continued, several storms fired just east of Wichita. One of these storms produced the Andover tornado.[1]
Tornado summary
editThe tornado first touched down at 8:10 pm CST, where it would immediately begin to uproot trees and damage outbuildings at EF0 and EF1 intensity. The tornado would move northeast, a direction it would continue to move in for the rest of its life. As the tornado crossed 137th Street South of Andover, it destroyed multiple mobile homes at EF2 intensity.[2] More homes and trees were damaged as the tornado moved across several rural streets, slowly approaching Andover.[2][3] After the tornado left these residential areas, it turned slightly to the north, avoiding directly hitting a col-de-sac.[2]
The tornado then crossed East Pawnee Street, uprooting trees at EF1 intensity and damaging another home located nearby.[4] The tornado would first reach EF3 intensity moments later, destroying a home located off of South Andover Road that runs through the southern portions of the town. A damage survey conducted after the tornado concluded that peak wind speeds in this area were 155 miles per hour (249 km/h).[2]
The tornado produced heavy structural damage in this area as it moved towards U.S. Route 54. As it crossed the highway, a group of homes took a direct hit, and were all destroyed at EF3 intensity.[2][5][6] A YMCA of the USA fitness center was heavily damaged, sustaining EF3 damage as the tornado moved over the building.[7][8][9] A car located in the parking lot of the building was picked up by the tornado and lofted 1,000 feet (300 m) in the air before landing on the roof of the fitness center.[2]
The tornado retained EF3 intensity as it tracked through residential and industrial areas in eastern Andover.[10] Several power poles were bent or snapped as the tornado tracked across East 13th Street, and at least two homes were destroyed.[11] Numerous photographs were taken of the tornado as it tracked through this area, and it was still highly visible.[12] The tornado weakened as it left the town, inflicting EF1 and EF2 damage to outbuildings and farms. The tornado dissipated at 8:31 PM CST, after being on the ground for 21 minutes along a 12.89 miles (20.74 km) path.[1]
Aftermath
edit1,074 buildings were damaged by the tornado to varying degrees; up to 400 of those were destroyed.[13][14] Thousands were also left without power in Sedgwick County directly following the tornado.[15] The United States Air Force deployed 150 airmen to help recovery efforts following the tornado, and many other non-commissioned volunteers visited Andover to provide assistance.[16] Kansas Governor Laura Kelly declared a state of emergency following the tornado.[17] Three people were injured by the tornado; two of these injuries occurred in Sedgewick County.[18] The tornado inflicted $41.5 million (2022 USD) in damages to Andover.[19]
See also
editNotes and references
editReferences
edit- ^ a b US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "April 29th 2022 Tornadoes - including the Andover Tornado". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ a b c d e f "Damage Assessment Toolkit". NOAA. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Hameed, Gavin (April 27, 2023). "Andover tornado illustrates value of emergency preparedness". McConnell Air Force Base. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ Hrenchir, Tim. "The 2022 Andover tornado damaged over 1,000 buildings in a 12.75 mile path. Here's what we know". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Stavola, Michael (April 2, 202). "Lessons learned: Survivors of 2022 Kansas tornado move home, make changes". Wichita Eagle. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ White, Kevin; McMillan, Laura (April 30, 2022). "Update: No deaths in Andover tornado, four injured". KSN. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ "Andover YMCA releases video footage from 2022 tornado, witness shares experience". KSN. May 16, 2024.
- ^ Hernandez, Gabriela (February 27, 2024). "Andover YMCA to reopen in May following massive 2022 tornado". KWCH. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Kansas Tornado Shreds Homes, Flings Cars". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Dozens of buildings leveled after a powerful tornado tears through Wichita area". CNN. April 30, 2022. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Damage Assessment Toolkit". NOAA. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Ready, Red Sky (2022-04-30). "Tornado Reports come in as Andover KS takes Direct hit". Red Sky Ready. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Hrenchir, Tim. "The 2022 Andover tornado damaged over 1,000 buildings in a 12.75 mile path. Here's what we know". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Update: No deaths in Andover tornado, 1,000 buildings with damage". KSNT 27. April 30, 2022. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Andover tornado leaves trail of destruction in Kansas suburb". AccuWeather. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ Beezley, Brenden (May 4, 2022). "McConnell Airmen assist Andover tornado recovery efforts". United States Air Force.
- ^ Livingston, Ian (April 30, 2022). "Ferocious tornado strikes Andover, Kan., causing severe damage". Washington Post. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ "Kansas tornado generated 165 mph winds as it destroyed homes". Los Angeles Times. May 1, 2022. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "2022 in Tornadoes – A Look at the "Worst" | Survive-A-Storm". Survive-a-Storm. 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2024-11-20.