NWS confirms EF-2 tornado hit Ottawa, Kansas, injuring 3 on April 13
An EF-2 tornado struck Ottawa in Franklin County, Kansas, between 19:23 and 19:48 CDT on April 13, 2026, damaging homes, businesses, and power infrastructure while injuring three people. The National Weather Service estimated peak winds of 201 km/h (125 mph), with a damage path of 11.75 km (7.3 miles) and a maximum width of 91 m (100 yards).
Rain wrapped tornado near Ottawa, Kansas on April 13, 2026. Credit: Daniel Reese
The National Weather Service (NWS) determined the tornado reached estimated peak winds of 201 km/h (125 mph). It remained on the ground for 11.75 km (7.3 miles) and reached a maximum width of 91 m (100 yards), producing a concentrated damage corridor across the southern side of Ottawa and injuring 3 people.
The tornado developed a few miles west of Ottawa before moving into the southern side of the city, where much of the damage occurred in residential and commercial areas. Survey findings documented damage to buildings, trees, and power infrastructure consistent with EF-2 intensity.
Multiple utility poles were snapped or damaged between 15th and 17th Streets, causing power outages in parts of the city. Municipal crews and utility providers began restoration work overnight, while debris removal operations continued on April 14.
The tornado formed as severe thunderstorms moved across east-central Kansas Monday evening, also producing very large hail. Hail up to 7 cm (2.75 inches) in diameter was reported in Franklin, Osage, and Lyon counties.
The same storm system also produced a brief EF-0 tornado near Quenemo in Osage County earlier in the evening, but Ottawa sustained the most significant damage.
Damage to motel in Ottawa, Kansas after EF-2 tornado on April 13, 2026. Credit: NWS/Topeka
Damage to home in Ottawa, Kansas after EF-2 tornado on April 13, 2026. Credit: NWS/Topeka
Damage to trees in Ottawa, Kansas after EF-2 tornado on April 13, 2026. Credit: NWS/Topeka
Hail up to 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter in Ottawa, Kansas on April 13, 2026. Credit: Kevin Snider
NWS Storm Prediction Center received 14 tornado reports on April 13 from Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Kansas recorded the most significant reported impacts, with preliminary tornado reports logged near Quenemo, Pomona, Ottawa, Blue Mound, Spring Hill, Hillsdale, and near Pleasanton.
Three tornado reports were logged in southern Minnesota near Amboy, Truman, and Matawan, while three more were received in northwestern Iowa near Emmetsburg, Graettinger, and Webb. One additional preliminary tornado report came from near Hannibal in Taylor County, Wisconsin.
References:
1 Severe Storms and Tornadoes Hit Eastern Kansas 04/13/2026 – NWS/Topeka, KS – Accessed April 15, 2026
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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