Damage is being reported from severe weather in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma.

 

Just after 4 p.m. today, the Independence Firefighters were dispatched to 1626 Irving following reports of damage caused by a lightning strike. Upon arrival, crews were informed by witnesses that lightning had struck a tree, sending large splinters of wood flying in all directions, striking several nearby homes.

 

One home sustained moderate damage including, broken front windows, a damaged porch railing, a dented garage door, curtains torn down from inside and even a piece of wood that punctured a couch inside the home.

 

No one was home at the time of the strike and no injuries were reported.

 

In addition, storms producing large amounts of hail in the Dexter area, according to a report sent into the National Weather Service. Nickel to quarter-size hail was observed covering the ground and warnings were issued as the storm moved into Elk and Chautauqua County.

 

The storm that moved through Montgomery County brought just over 6/10ths of an inch of rain and increased in strength as it moved south into Oklahoma.

 

Photo: Independence Fire/EMS