NWS Topeka KSTO.W 0036May 18, 2026
Tornado Warning: Marshall and Washington County, KS
The National Weather Service office in Topeka issued a tornado warning for Marshall and Washington County in Kansas, which was in force until 6:00 p.m. local time on May 18. It was the 36th 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 53 minutes; it has expired. The agency may have replaced it with a new notice.
The notice
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Topeka KS
- Area
- Marshall and Washington County
- State
- Kansas
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 5:07 p.m. CDT, May 18, 2026
- Expires
- 6:00 p.m. CDT, May 18, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Extreme, Observed, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KTOP TO.W 0036
- 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... Southeastern Washington County in north central Kansas... Central Marshall County in northeastern Kansas... * Until 600 PM CDT. * At 506 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 7 miles southwest of Waterville, moving northeast at 40 mph. HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail. SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 5:04 PM, a tornado was southwest of Waterville. 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... Marysville, Blue Rapids, Frankfort, Waterville, Beattie, Barnes, Vermillion, and Oketo.
What the agency told people to do
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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.