Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
Sunday, November 17
Storms set a new record for powerful gusts of wind, with 55 in one day
Hurricane-force winds caused by powerful winter storms hit the center of USA on Wednesday, setting a record for the most hurricane-force wind gusts in a day since 2004, said the National Weather Service (NWS). At least 55 bursts exceeded the threshold of 74 mph for hurricane-force winds, in this event of extreme weather .
“The previous record was 08 August 2020 with 53, ”said the NWS Storm Prediction Center.
Today (12 / 15) has set the record for the most number of hurricane force (75 + mph) thunderstorm wind gusts in a day (55, and counting) since 2004. The previous record was from August 10, 2020 with 53. pic.twitter.com/bqULyJJEw5
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) December 16, 2021
At least five people died in the storms, according to The Associated Press, including three in Kansas in car accidents caused by blinding dirt kicked up by high winds.
At least reported 23 tornadoes in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin between Wednesday and Thursday, and at least six so far have been confirmed by the National Weather Service.
The winds reached a Maximum of 100 mph at Russell, Kansas, one of many places where existing wind records for December were erased, the NWS office in Wichita said.
Wind records were smashed for the month of December since 1996 for central and south-central Kansas. This includes Wichita, Hutchinson, Salina, and Russell. Russell saw winds peak to 100 mph, shattering their old record of 67 mph. #kswx pic.twitter.com/zoA1Zn3PPx
— NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) December 16, 2021
The gusts ripped away roofs and made it difficult to driving in various states. In Great Bend, Kansas, a church steeple was toppled over a dozen blasts.
In Nebraska alone, officials reported wildfires, tornadoes, high winds, rain and snow that severely affected traffic and reportedly caused vehicles to overturn.
Troopers have responded to a number of high profile vehicles tipping over during today’s high winds and severe storms.
This one happened right in front of a trooper on I – 75 in Lincoln at about 3: 30 pm.
Thankfully the driver was wearing a seat belt and was not injured. pic.twitter.com/liJTqp8pCX— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) December 16, 2021