2018 Freeport, Kansas Tornado

The 2018 Freeport, Kansas Tornado was a violent and deadly, EF5-rated tornado that struck Freeport, Kansas on May 22, 2018. In all, 6 people died, along with 96 injuries, and $1 billion (2018 USD) in damages.

The tornado began in fields north of Freeport and moved into Argonia where EF2 to EF3 damage occurred to most buildings in the center of town. It grew to just over a mile wide and turned slightly right as it moved through rural areas north-central Sumner County. Chasers noted extremely intense motion and horizontal vorticies with the tornado. A large, well-built home south of Riverdale was completely swept away, earning an EF5 rating.

A tornado emergency was issued as the tornado moved into Belle Plaine. Incredible damage took place as several homes were flattened or swept away. Two dozen homes sustained EF5 damage, as well as the post office and library in town. A car was thrown 400 yards and crushed beyond recognition. Debris was finely granulated, wind-rowing was extreme, and six people were killed. The tornado left town and did EF4 damage to a home on E 100th Avenue. The tornado shrunk to about half a mile wide and did EF5 damage to a home on N Weber Road, which was swept away. It crossed the Arkansas River and debarked several trees completely, some of which were reduced to stumps. High-end EF3 damage occurred to two homes on N River Road before it moved into very rural areas again. Intense ground scouring occurred.

Eventually the tornado came to a residential area south of Douglass where EF3 to low-end EF4 damage was noted. It began to turn north and produced EF2 damage before ending a few miles east of Douglass.