Severe storms brought heavy rain, strong winds and some large hail to south central Kansas during the evening hours Tuesday.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Sedgwick County and surrounding counties as a line of storms developed and extended from northwest Oklahoma into northeast Kansas.
Quarter-sized hail was reported in Argonia as the storm moved into western Sumner County. There were reports of wind gusts up to 60 mph with the storm, and rainfall amounts were around 1 to 2 inches.
Earlier in the day, dry and windy conditions with humidity as low as 20 percent created a dangerous situation for wildfires.
Sedgwick County fire crews were called to a report of a grass fire around noon Tuesday near 45th Street North Greenwich Road. The fire burned across a 30-acre area and put a thick cloud of smoke that could be seen across northeast Wichita. Crews contained the fire and continued to watch for hot spots. The fire started in a ditch and was spread by gusty south winds, and the cause was under investigation.
Crews in Hodgeman County, in western Kansas, were dealing with a large grass fire and residents south of the community of Hanston were being told to be ready to evacuate if necessary. A wildfire was also reported in Kearny County in southwest Kansas, and other large fires were reported in Pawnee and Stafford counties.
[ image: National Weather Service, Wichita ]
