Storms batter Kansas

Several tornadoes reportedly touch down in state

Homes were damaged and power lines and trees uprooted by several tornadoes that touched down Saturday across Kansas.

Joy Moser, a spokeswoman for Kansas Emergency Management, said no injuries were reported in the counties struck by severe weather systems, but more than one tornado was believed to have destroyed four homes in Harper County in south-central Kansas. The communities there were expected to make a declaration of a local emergency, Moser said.

Two tornadoes also touched down in Republic County and neighboring Cloud County in north-central Kansas, damaging trees and downing power lines. The National Weather Service reported baseball-size hail in Republic County. High winds also caused minor damage in Jamestown in Cloud County, Moser said.

In western Kansas, near Goodland, winds reported to have reached 70 mph scattered dust and restricted visibility for drivers on Interstate 70.