Wichita, Kansas, sits squarely within the region known as Tornado Alley, making severe weather a recurring concern for its residents. Information about the last confirmed tornado to strike the metro area is frequently sought by Kansans and weather enthusiasts alike. Understanding the specifics of the most recent event provides important context for the area’s long and active history with severe storms.
Details of the Most Recent Confirmed Tornado
The most recent tornado to cause significant damage and injuries within the broader Wichita metropolitan area occurred on the evening of April 29, 2022. This storm, known as the Andover Tornado, was a strong, long-track event that began in Sedgwick County before moving northeast into Butler County. Two of the three related injuries occurred in Sedgwick County, where the tornado first formed and damaged a manufactured home.
National Weather Service (NWS) survey teams ultimately rated the tornado an EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with estimated peak winds reaching 155 miles per hour. The tornado traveled a path length of 12.75 miles and had a maximum width of 440 yards. While there were no fatalities, the tornado caused extensive destruction in the city of Andover, damaging approximately 1,000 structures and destroying 300 to 400 others.
The damage assessment estimated $4.5 million in loss within Sedgwick County, with a much higher total of $37 million in Butler County. This difference highlights the tornado’s intensity as it strengthened. The official zero-fatality count is a testament to the effectiveness of warning systems and preparation efforts.
Defining Tornado Activity in the Wichita Area
Official tornado documentation for the area is handled by the NWS Wichita office (WFO ICT). The NWS distinguishes between a tornado warning and a confirmed touchdown. A warning is issued based on radar signatures and visual spotter reports, indicating imminent danger to a broad county area, while a confirmed tornado is a post-event declaration made after a damage survey team verifies ground-level evidence.
The official rating uses the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, which relies on comparing damage to 28 Damage Indicators (DIs). NWS personnel assess the resulting damage using eight Degrees of Damage (DoD) to estimate the three-second wind gusts that caused the destruction. The highest estimated wind speed along the entire path determines the final EF rating, which ranges from EF0 to EF5.
Official records often categorize events by county, such as Sedgwick County, where Wichita is located, rather than strictly by city limits. This is important because a tornado may cause major damage in a suburb like Haysville or Andover, but still be considered part of the “Wichita area” record. The NWS focuses on the precise damage path to create an accurate historical record of wind speeds and intensity.
The Context of Wichita’s Historical Tornado Record
While the 2022 event was significant, two historically devastating tornadoes have shaped the region’s severe weather awareness. The most powerful storm on record is the April 26, 1991, Andover Tornado, which reached the highest possible rating of F5 on the original Fujita Scale. This long-track twister was on the ground for 46 miles, causing an estimated $300 million in damage.
The F5 rating was assigned after the tornado completely obliterated the Golden Spur Mobile Home Park in Andover, resulting in 13 fatalities at that single location. Before reaching Andover, the storm tracked through parts of Wichita and McConnell Air Force Base, where it caused F3 damage, narrowly missing a line of B-1B bombers. The total death toll for this single tornado was 17 people, with 225 injuries across its path.
Another impactful storm struck eight years later on May 3, 1999, when an F4 tornado tore through Haysville and the southern parts of Wichita. This tornado, with winds estimated between 207 and 260 miles per hour, tracked for 24 miles and caused six fatalities and 150 injuries. The storm damaged 150 homes and 27 businesses, resulting in approximately $140 million in damage.