Tornados in Kansas, biker dies from lightning strike - pictures and local news coverage

[proud2BlibKansan]

A tornado touched down in Leavenworth County on Saturday evening, damaging property.

The tornado was first seen at 6:35 p.m. six miles west of Linwood, Kan., said Dave Beusterien of the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill. It stayed on the ground for at least 15 minutes, reaching just west of Bonner Springs, he said.

Beusterien said the only report to the weather service of damage was to a barn near Bonner Springs.

Homes, barns and vehicles were hit, according to the dispatcher at the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Department.

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The severe weather also resulted in the death of a 45-year-old Lawrence man, who was struck by lightning while riding his motorcycle in Jefferson County, Kan.

http://www.kansascity.com/842/story/1162725.html

video of damage: http://www.kctv5.com/video/19292455/index.html

(Video at link - tornado went over KU campus and touched down not far from there.)

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Kan. - A motorcyclist was struck by lightning and killed instantly Saturday afternoon during the storm that swept through northeast Kansas.

Motorcyclist Struck By Lightning Dies in Kan.

The 45-year-old man from Lawrence was riding with a group of cyclists who belong to “Bikers Against Child Abuse” when he was struck by lightning.

It happened at around 4:45 p.m. at 6911 U.S. 24 Highway near Perry, Kan.

At least seven other motorcyclists witnessed the fatal lightning strike and one of them suffered minor injuries. He’s been treated and released from a hospital.

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Motorcyclist-Struck-By-Lightning-Dies-in-Kan/9l1V49cHUEOIej2ZYeelMA.cspx