EF2 tornado confirmed near Riley as flooding prompts water rescues in northeast Kansas

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Topeka confirmed that the tornado that struck Riley on June 4 was rated EF2 following damage surveys conducted on June 5.

The tornado touched down at approximately 17:13 LT about 1.6 km (1 mile) northeast of Riley as severe storms swept across the region. It remained on the ground for about 10 minutes before lifting at 17:23 LT.

Outdoor tornado warning sirens were activated in affected areas, including Riley, Leonardville, Randolph, and University Park, according to Riley County Emergency Management.

At least five structures were damaged by the tornado, including four on the east side of the City of Riley and one near Randolph.

Officials determined that most of the tornado damage was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with estimated wind speeds of 145 km/h (90 mph). However, damage to one home on Union Road was consistent with EF2 intensity, with estimated wind speeds of 177 to 193 km/h (110 to 120 mph).

In addition to tornado damage, heavy rainfall caused substantial flooding across Riley County and much of northeast Kansas. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly declared a State of Disaster Emergency on June 4 due to the severe flooding.

Several roadways were closed because of high water and debris, including Falcon Road from Riley to Barton Road — U.S. Highway 77 from Indian Hill Road to the Marshall County line, Kansas Road west of the City of Riley to Crooked Creek, and the Blue River Hills Road low-water crossing.

At least two water rescues were conducted in Jackson County during the flooding. The first rescue took place at approximately 02:45 LT on June 4 after emergency services received reports that vehicles had been swept off U.S. Highway 75 at Muddy Creek near the Brown County line.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse reported that a passenger car and a truck towing a trailer were swept from the highway into fast-moving floodwaters. One occupant was in each vehicle.

Rescuers reached the north side of the floodwaters and extracted both occupants from their vehicles by 04:32 LT. Emergency services confirmed that no serious injuries were reported.

A second rescue was reported later that morning. Sheriff Morse said responders were called at 06:30 LT after a woman’s vehicle was swept off Q.4 Road north of Elk Creek and south of 238th Road.

Holton Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, Holton Police Department, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident. Fire crews rescued the woman, and no injuries were reported.

References:

¹ Preliminary Local Storm Report – NWS – June 4, 2026

² Kansas gov. issues disaster declaration due to flooding – KSNT – June 5, 2026

Rishav Kothari

Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

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