Nighttime EF-3 tornado devastates Plevna, Kansas, National Weather Service survey reveals
According to an NWS survey, a supercell thunderstorm produced a long-track wedge tornado that was on the ground for over 30 miles, with estimated peak winds of 155 mph.
WATCH: Drone video shows devastation left behind in Plevna, Kansas after violent nighttime tornado
Drone video shows destroyed homes and toppled trees in Plevna, Kansas which took a direct hit from a tornado overnight on Monday, May 19, 2025.
PLEVNA, Kan. – An EF-3 tornado was responsible for devastating the small city of Plevna, Kansas earlier this week, according to a survey recently released by the National Weather Service Office in Wichita.
Drone video shows the devastation left behind after a nighttime tornado tore apart homes and ripped down trees early Monday.
The tornado-warned storm was part of an eight-day-long severe weather pattern that brought more than 140 confirmed twisters since May 14.
According to the survey, a supercell thunderstorm produced a long-track wedge tornado that was on the ground for over 30 miles, with estimated peak winds of 155 mph.
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![Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city.]()
Image 1 of 6Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city. (NOAA)
![Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city.]()
Image 2 of 6Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city. (NOAA)
![Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city.]()
Image 3 of 6Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city. (NOAA)
![Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city.]()
Image 4 of 6Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city. (NOAA)
![Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city.]()
Image 5 of 6Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city. (NOAA)
![Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city.]()
Image 6 of 6Damage in Plevna, Kansas after a nighttime EF-3 tornado devastated the small city. (NOAA)
It touched down at 11:17 p.m. local time before hitting Plevna just after midnight, according to a release from Reno County Emergency Management.
Officials said people heeded Tornado Warnings and no one was injured. Three homes were destroyed, according to the NWS.
Video shows many other buildings damaged with roofs torn off and cars crushed by debris.
The drone videographer, Steve Chadwick, said the video was taken immediately after daybreak Monday.
Watch: Massive wedge tornado approaches Plevna, Kansas
A video shared from Plevna, Kansas, shows a massive wedge tornado being illuminated by flashes of lightning as it spins across the landscape on Monday, May 19.
The National Weather Service Office in Wichita, Kansas, had issued a Tornado Emergency for Plevna, as well as for Sylvia and Abbyville, early Monday morning.
The city of Grinnell, Kansas, some 200 miles northeast of Plevna, was hit by a tornado earlier Sunday evening, but no injuries were reported.
Other video shared on social media from Plevna showed the massive wedge tornado being illuminated by flashes of lightning as it spun across the landscape early Monday morning.
The Red Cross set up a shelter in Abbyville for those who have been displaced.
According to the 2020 Census, Plevna has a population of 85 people.
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