Power Outage in Ulysses, KS

Several power poles were blown down along road H, just south of Highway 160.

A semi was blown over and several power poles were blown down. Also the roof of an outbuilding was blown off.

A power pole was broken 3 miles east of Ulysses on Road M and north off of highway 160.

Two power poles were blown down near mile marker 56 on highway 160.

A power pole was blown down by the high wind.

Real Flank downdraft winds blew two power poles down.

A power pole was blown down.

Two power poles were blown down.

A potent winter storm moved into western Kansas during the early morning of Tuesday, February 5th and then marched eastward through central Kansas during the day Tuesday. As the upper low tracked west to east through Kansas, a surface low pressure system moved slowly east along the Kansas-Oklahoma border. This combination resulted in moderate to heavy snow in parts of western and central Kansas. Before the snow ended, from 6 to 8 inches fell in a 30 to 40 mile-wide swath from Hays to Kalvesta (in Finney County). An area of 4 to 6 inches of snow fell south of this heavier band, and was basically north of a line from Johnson to Jetmore to east of La Crosse in Rush County. One to two inches of snow fell to the south of this mentioned area, with a few patches of 3-plus inches of snow. This 1 to 2-inch band was north of a line from Elkhart to Dodge City to Greensburg to south of St. John. Considerable blowing and drifting of snow was reported, as north winds blew at 20 to 30 mph during the moderate to heavy snow. In Gray County just west of Cimarron during the mid-morning of Tuesday, freezing drizzle and fog formed a nearly solid sheet of ice along US Highway 50 along a curve and a hill. Blowing snow worsened the visibility in that area, and numerous accidents occurred. Several cars slid off the road, and 2 power poles were downed. However, no injuries were reported.

A roof was blown off a n old school house 4 miles east of Ulysses. Power poles were also blown down 5 miles south of Ulysses. Grain storage bins were destroyed about 6 miles north of Ulysses.

Heavy accumulations of ice brought down numerous power poles and lines. Snow followed the ice and accumulated to between 3 and 6 inches. Many areas were without power for over a month.

This tornado traveled into Kearny county before roping out. At 2ne of Ulysses part of a barn roof was blown off and a large tree was uprooted. Several horses were slightly injured. Then at 5ne of Ulysses an abandoned mobile home was destroyed. At six miles northeast of Ulysses, two pivot sprinklers were mangled, large trees were snapped at the base and several power poles were destroyed. Several grain bins (full of wheat) were completely swept away and the grain was scattered for some distance. Remnants of the grain bins were not found in the local vicinity. Farther northeast along the track several more pivot sprinklers were destroyed. It is estimated that if this tornado had made a direct hit, it would have likely caused at least high-end F3 damage.

The wind damaged irrigation pipes and took down power poles.