Huge tornado damage homes and strike power lines as it barrels through Andover in Kansas
A massive tornado crashed down in Andover, Kansas on Saturday, tearing through homes, power lines and community centers as it destroyedat least 100 structures.
The storm brought extensive damage to the city of Andover, where it leveled houses on Andover Road and damaged the Capital Federal Amphitheater and the local YMCA, which saw part of its roof collapse, KWCH reported.
Local residents and storm chasers in the area captured pictures and video of the storm and aftermath, with one man filming the moment the tornado hit power lines, lighting up the sky in violent flashes of light.
Moments later, the storm chaser reaches the area the tornado passed through, revealing rows of homes devastated by the twister.
Brandon Whipple, mayor of the neighboring Whicita which is providing aid to Andover, said that about 50-100 buildings have been damaged in Andover by the storm.
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A massive tornado crashed down in Andover, Kansas on Saturday evening as counties throughout the state issued warnings
Three vehicles were tossed in front of the Andover YMCA building, which was left devastated by the tornado
Homes throughout the city were devastated as the tornado passed through. Pictured, a cul de sac ransacked by the storm
Homes in the tornado’s path were heavily damaged, with others completely leveled by the twister
A man is seen coming out of his house and assessing the damage that took down an entire wall and part of the roof
The Andover YMCA also sustained heavy damages as part of its ceiling collapsed as the storm passed through
The Greater Wichita YMCA said that the Andover branch would be closed due to the damages but that none of the employees were hurt in the storm.
‘The Andover YMCA suffered significant damage as a result of the storm that hit the Andover area this evening. We are thankful that all of the staff and members that took shelter at the branch at the time of the storm, were not injured.’
A Snapchat user with the handle Aaryn also captured video of the aftermath in his neighborhood as neighbors came out to check up on each other.
The video shows the houses on the block heavily damaged, with some completely leveled as Aaryn can only say, ‘Oh my god. This whole cul de sac is gone.’
Counties across the state issued tornado warnings on Saturday, with twisters appearing and dissipating throughout Kansas, including Wichita, Sedgwick and Butler.
Andover, which is located in Wichita County, appeared to be the hardest hit area. Neighboring cities have dispatched emergency workers to assist Andover.
Many residents and storm chasers captured multiple angles of the tornado as it came crashing down
A snapchat user filming the aftermath in his neighbor lamented that his cul de sac was practically gone
Tornadoes were spotted throughout Kansas with the Andover storm traveling through Wichita, Sedgwick and Butler
Saturday’s storm comes days after the 31st anniversary of the deadly F5 tornado outbreak that struck Oklahoma and Kansas in 1991.
The deadly storms lasted two days and killed a total of 21 people, 17 of which were in Andover alone.
Wichita Interim Police Chief Lem Moore said authorities are working to assess the damage caused by Saturday’s tornado and urged travelers to stay away from the city.
‘Emergency services want to focus on the families in Andover and not have to manage people wanting to drive by to see the damages,’ Moore said in a statement.