Series of Small Earthquakes Rattle Central Kansas
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) – A series of small earthquakes rattled central Kansas this week. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that the latest was a magnitude 3.2 earthquake detected southeast of Abilene just after 7:00 yesterday (SAT) morning. The Kansas Geological Survey says Dickinson County has experienced several earthquakes in the past few days registering over 3.0 on the Richter scale. Earlier this week, a 3.8 earthquake was reported in Jewell County in north-central Kansas near the Nebraska border. No major damage has been reported.
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Severe Thunderstorms Move Through Region
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) – Severe thunderstorms moved through Kansas last night with hail, high wind speeds, and locally heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service reports one-inch hail in Dickinson, Geary, and Marshall counties, and wind gusts of 60 and 70 miles per hour in Geary, Jefferson, Riley, and Wabaunsee counties. Parts of north-central Kansas were under a tornado watch for several hours last night; a tornado warning was briefly issued for Ellsworth and Saline counties last night.
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Flags Remain at Half-Staff as Kansas Hits 5000 COVID Deaths
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) – Flags remain at half-staff today (SUN) as the state remembers the more than 5000 Kansans who have died of COVID-19. Governor Laura Kelly ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff Friday, to remain in effect through sundown tonight. Kelly ordered flags at half-staff when Kansas reached the 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 fatality rate. Meanwhile, a display of 5000 red felt roses remains on display outside the State Capitol. The project to honor those Kansans who died of the coronavirus was the work of Topeka teenager Anna Newcome. It’s part of a larger national project called the Rose River Memorial. The roses will remain at the Statehouse until May 14th.