A tragic incident unfolded in Westmoreland, a town in northeastern Kansas, on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in one fatality and three injuries. The cause is believed to be a tornado, according to a spokesperson from Pottawatomie County.
The spokesperson, Becky Ryan, stated that the identity of the deceased individual is being withheld until their next of kin is notified. The tornado was reported near Westmoreland, which has a population of approximately 740 residents, around 4:40 p.m. CT, as per the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.
While three individuals sustained injuries, they did not require hospitalization, Ryan mentioned during a news conference. Sheriff Shane Jager indicated that significant damage was inflicted upon "half the town," with some sheriff’s deputies also experiencing damage to their residences.
A curfew was implemented on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., as detailed in a news release. Ryan noted that twenty-two houses were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable, while thirteen other residences and one business suffered damage. Additionally, three RVs and several outbuildings were destroyed.
Among the damaged structures were Pottawatomie County administration buildings in Westmoreland. The Kansas Highway Patrol provided assistance in search efforts, with troopers aiding in house-to-house search and rescue operations, according to Technical Trooper Jodi Clary.
Electricity was disrupted in the city, and efforts were underway to restore power, Ryan stated. Westmoreland is located approximately 60 miles northwest of Topeka.