NWS Topeka KSTO.W 0033May 18, 2026
Tornado Warning: Clay, Cloud and Ottawa, KS
The National Weather Service office in Topeka issued a tornado warning for Clay, Cloud and Ottawa in Kansas, which was in force until 5:00 p.m. local time on May 18. It was the 33rd tornado warning the NWS office in Topeka issued in 2026. Kansas had 32 tornado warnings in May 2026, against 60 in an average May of 2008-2025 (Kansas's tornado warnings by year).
ExpiredWarning
In force for 56 minutes; it has expired. The agency may have replaced it with a new notice.
The notice
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Topeka KS
- Area
- Clay, Cloud and Ottawa
- State
- Kansas
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 4:04 p.m. CDT, May 18, 2026
- Expires
- 5:00 p.m. CDT, May 18, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Extreme, Observed, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KTOP TO.W 0033
- Official source
- National Weather Service: the notice at its source
Tornado Warnings in Kansas since 2008Every warning type in Kansas
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. AreaZine rebuilds this page from the agency's record; the agency's page is the one to act on. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.
The notice as issued
TORTOP The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Northeastern Ottawa County in north central Kansas... Northern Clay County in north central Kansas... Southeastern Cloud County in north central Kansas... * Until 500 PM CDT. * At 404 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 4 miles south of Miltonvale, moving northeast at 40 mph. HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. * Locations impacted include... Clay Center, Miltonvale, Morganville, Green, Oak Hill, and Idana.
What the agency told people to do
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. The text is the agency's, unedited. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.