Author: Steven Shaffur

The National Weather Service in Topeka is warning residents across northeast and central Kansas to prepare for potentially strong thunderstorms Sunday evening. According to forecast maps issued early Sunday morning, storms are expected to develop in central and northwest Kansas between 5 and 7 p.m. and gradually move east-northeast through the evening hours. By 7 to 9 p.m., storm activity is projected to increase in coverage, with the highest probabilities concentrated over Manhattan, Topeka, and surrounding areas. The storms could organize into lines or clusters, raising the potential for widespread impact. Storms are expected to continue tracking east-northeast between 9…

The Riley County Police Department reported a total of 23 incidents over the past day, including multiple accidents, disturbances, and law enforcement actions. Traffic Accidents One injury accident was reported on March 7 at 9:53 PM at the intersection of Casement Road and E Marlatt Avenue. Additionally, several non-injury accidents occurred at various locations throughout Manhattan, including McCall Road, Tuttle Creek Blvd, and N 5th Street. Criminal Incidents A battery case was reported at The Links at Manhattan Apartments on Augusta Way at 5:56 PM on March 7. Officers also responded to a criminal damage to property case at Pawnee…

Preliminary data collected by the National Weather Service has determined Tuesday’s tornado that struck Westmoreland was rated an EF-3 storm on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The storm descended about a mile and a half southwest of the city before carving a destructive path through residential areas. The storm boasted peak wind speeds of 140 mph, inflicting damage to homes along a 50 to 100 yard stretch. The powerful tornado resulted in one fatality. Weather officials also say that despite the storm’s ferocity, it appeared to weaken in intensity as it crossed Highway 99, sparing the eastern side of town from…

Severe storms are in the forecast for the Manhattan area Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorm development is expected between 5 and 8 pm, but we could see storms develop as early as 4 pm. The primary severe weather threat is expected in the 7 to 9 pm timeframe. The Storm Prediction Center has placed Riley, Pottawatomie and Geary counties into an Enhanced (Level 3) risk for severe weather late Wednesday afternoon with the main threats being large hail (up to 2 inch diameter), and damaging winds. The possibility of a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Storms…

One person died after a roll-over crash in Manhattan Saturday night. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Monte Busch, 49, of Manhattan was Westbound on Tuttle Creek BLVD about two miles West of Manhattan, failed to negotiate a curve and entered the North ditch. The vehicle then struck a KDOT sign, entered the Westbound lanes, entered the median, struck another KDOT sign, rolled and came to a rest on the top of the vehicle. Busch was declared dead at the scene, with next of kin notified by the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office. The road…

Severe storms are in the forecast for the Manhattan area Friday. According to the National Weather Service, the focus for storm development shifts to southern Nebraska as a line late morning storms enter northeast Kansas and will greatly depend on how the low level moisture recovers from storms in Oklahoma Friday morning. The Storm Prediction Center has placed Riley, Pottawatomie, and Geary counties into an Enhanced (Level 3) risk for severe weather Friday evening with the main threats being large hail (up 2 inch diameter), and damaging winds. Isolated flash flooding can’t be ruled out. A broken line of storms…

Update 6/5/23 3:24 pm: All four children were found safe in Topeka. Dontresha Shabree Thomas was taken into custody pending charges. Original Story 6/5/23 2:20 pm: Four children from Topeka were abducted Monday and officials believe they are in immediate danger. At around 1 p.m. the Topeka Police Department requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to locate Au’Vae Riley, Da’avian Riley Jr., Ty’rell Riley and Aunila Riley, who were all taken from their Topeka home by their mother Dontresha Shabree Thomas sometime after 10:30 a.m. Thomas’ statements to the children’s father indicated all were an imminent danger. According…

More severe weather is on the way for the Manhattan area Thursday, and Friday. The Storm Prediction center has placed Riley and Pottawatomie Counties into a Marginal (Level 1) risk and Geary into a Slight (Level 2) risk for the daytime hours Thursday, with Riley and Pottawatomie being upgraded to a slight risk by night fall, with the main threats being large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall locally. There is a possibility of an isolated tornado as well. Initial showers and storms will move to the north over far eastern Kansas during the morning and early afternoon hours. These…

After some light storms last week, the Manhattan area may see some more powerful storms late Wednesday afternoon and evening. The Storm Prediction Center has placed Northern/Central Riley, and Northern/Central Pottawatomie into an Enhanced (Level 3) risk, Southern Riley, Southern Pottawatomie and Geary counties into the Slight (Level 2) risk for severe weather Wednesday afternoon and evening with the main threats being large hail (3 inch diameter or larger), damaging winds and a few tornadoes. Storm activity could persist into the overnight hours. Confidence in storms developing in the late afternoon is low at the time of writing, with confidence…

The Manhattan area may very well see it’s first taste of severe weather late Friday. The Storm Prediction Center has placed Riley, Pottawatomie, and Geary counties into the Slight (Level 2) risk for severe weather this evening with the main threats being hail up to half dollar size, and damaging winds up to 70 mph. As far as timing of storms, we may see showers start moving through the area as early as 5 pm, with thunderstorms to follow as early as 8pm, with the main threats pushing past the area after 3 am Saturday. Large hail is possible along…