1 killed, multiple injured as severe storm topples campers at Wilson Lake
The Russell County Sheriff's Office says a 64-year-old Holyrood man is dead, and three others were injured following a severe thunderstorm that toppled multiple campers at Wilson State Park late Wednesday.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) - The Russell County Sheriff's Office says a 64-year-old Holyrood man is dead, and three others were injured following a severe thunderstorm that toppled multiple campers at Wilson State Park. It happened as the Fourth of July holiday was getting started.
The storm moved through the area around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued warnings of the storm as it was producing wind gusts of 60-70 mph.
After the storm, multiple 911 calls were received about damage at the park. Numerous law enforcement agencies and fire departments responded and found several campers had been blown over.
During the search and rescue, three people were transported to Russell Regional Hospital with injuries. A man identified as Christopher Montoya was found dead in the Hell Creek Park Area of the lake. The Russell County Sheriff's Office says an autopsy on Montoya will be held sometime Thursday.
KSN News traveled to Wilson Lake on Thursday and talked to a camper about riding out the storm.
"We were very lucky. Yesterday was a bad storm, and not knowing how this happened is unreal. There's been a lot of bad storms out here, but um, seeing what we've just seen down at Blue Stem, I mean that's just heartbreaking. You come out here for a good time, and this is what happens," Sarah Shubert, camper, said.
"It was awful because our Key (camper) broke into three pieces, and we couldn't get out of our tent. But, luckily, my stepdad ran over to us and helped us out," Maria Hernandez, camper, said.
A severe thunderstorm toppled multiple campers at Wilson Lake on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Courtesy Mike Schoech) 
A severe thunderstorm toppled multiple campers at Wilson Lake on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Courtesy Mike Schoech) 
A severe thunderstorm toppled multiple campers at Wilson Lake on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Courtesy Mike Schoech) 
A severe thunderstorm toppled multiple campers at Wilson Lake on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Courtesy Mike Schoech) 
A severe thunderstorm toppled multiple campers at Wilson Lake on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Courtesy Mike Schoech) 
A severe thunderstorm toppled multiple campers at Wilson Lake on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Courtesy Mike Schoech) 
A severe thunderstorm toppled multiple campers at Wilson Lake on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Courtesy Mike Schoech)
Meanwhile, cleanup is underway at the lake. Authorities say debris may be present on roads, parks and water.
The National Weather Service says they are not planning a damage survey.
The KSN Storm Track 3 Weather team received a report of a house with part of the roof blown off northeast of Ellsworth. Further south and east, in McPherson, Harvey, Saline, Rice, Reno and Sedgwick counties, reports of wind gusts ranged between 60 and 80 mph. In Harvey County, there was a report of a large tree uprooted near Newton.
Storm reports received by the KSN Storm Track 3 Weather team:
- 68 mph winds - Russell, Russell County
- 70 mph wind gusts - 8 NNE Kanopolis, Ellsworth County
- 60 mph gust – 4 ESE Wilson, Ellsworth County
- 70 mph gust – 8 WNW Marquette, Ellsworth County
- 60 mph gust – Ellsworth, Ellsworth County
- 82 mph gust – 3 SW Salina, Saline County
- 60 mph gust – Lindsborg, McPherson County
- 61 mph gust – 2 W Little River, Rice County
- 73 mph gust – 6 ENE Kanopolis, Ellsworth County
- 65 mph gust – Culver, Ottawa County
- 75 mph gust – 3 E McPherson, McPherson County
- 69 mph gust – Lindsborg, McPherson County
- 60 mph gust – 6 ESE Inman, McPherson County
- 63 mph gust – 4 S Durham, Marion County
- 67 mph gust – 5 ESE Partridge, Reno County
- 76 mph gust – 1 S McPherson, Mcpherson County
- 72 mph gust – 1 W Canton, McPherson County
- 60 mph gust – Sedgwick, Harvey County
- Damage – Large tree uprooted – 2 WNW Newton, Harvey County
- 72mph gust – 1 W Canton, McPherson County