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Strong Winds, Heavy Rain, and Damage Sweep Across Northwest Kansas

Central Colby, KS during the height of the storm July 9, 2026

Another round of severe weather rolled through the NWKS Radio listening area Thursday night, bringing damaging winds, torrential rainfall, and widespread cleanup across portions of northwest Kansas, eastern Colorado, and southwest Nebraska.


The National Weather Service in Goodland reported numerous severe thunderstorm warnings throughout the evening as storms raced across the region. The strongest storms produced wind gusts approaching hurricane-force strength, with reports including:

  • 79 mph - 13 miles north-northwest of Ruleton

  • 75 mph - 13 miles north of Edson

  • 75 mph - 13 miles south-southwest of Weskan

  • 69 mph - 4 miles east of Yuma

  • 68 mph - 1 mile north-northeast of Goodland

  • 67 mph - 3 miles north of Colby


The Colby area once again appeared to be one of the hardest-hit locations. Strong winds toppled trees throughout the city, while heavy rainfall led to reports of flooded basements and standing water in several areas, including Fike Park. Residents are spendingFriday morning cleaning up debris after yet another damaging storm. It has been a challenging storm season for Colby, with multiple rounds of severe weather already leading to repeated cleanup efforts this year.

Fike Park Colby, KS morning after over 2 inches of rain on July 9

NWKS Radio listeners shared rainfall totals from across the region on Facebook, showing just how much rain fell in a relatively short amount of time.


Some of the highest reports included:

  • 3.30" - Lue Drive, Colby

  • 3.00" - North of Colby city limits

  • Nearly 3.00" - Lynda Street, Colby

  • 2.75" - Colby

  • 2.50" - Franklin and Pine area, Colby

  • 2.40" - 6th & Grant, Colby

  • 2.28" - Catholic Church, Colby

  • 2.10" - East of Cumberland

  • 1.50" - Penokee

  • 1.40" - West of Gove

  • 1.27" - South of Oakley

  • 1.00" - Grinnell

  • 1.00" - South of Angelus

  • 1.00" - West side of Selden

  • 1.00" - North of New Almelo

  • 0.90" - Southwest of Colby

  • 0.90" - Northwest of Monument

  • 0.85" - Lenora

  • 0.80" - 16.5 miles southwest of Colby

  • 0.80" - Two miles west of Quinter

  • 0.80" - Six miles west and two miles north of Russell Springs

  • 0.60" - KLOE studios in Goodland

  • 0.50" - Two miles south of Goodland (manual gauge)

  • 0.40" - Levant

  • 0.40" - Atwood

  • 0.40" - Eight miles northeast of Goodland

  • 0.40" - County shops in Goodland

  • 0.35" - 7.5 miles north of Ruleton

  • 0.30" - St. Francis

  • 0.30" - Two miles south of Goodland (electronic station)

  • 0.24" - Eight miles south of St. Francis

  • 0.23" - Five miles west of Oberlin

  • 0.03" - Northwest of Burlington


One listener two miles south of Goodland summed up the night's conditions perfectly, saying they measured 0.30 inches in an electronic weather station and 0.50 inches in a traditional rain gauge, adding, "I don't know how either one collected anything as it was coming in sideways," while also reporting blowing dirt and intense winds.


At the NWKS Radio studios, KXXX in Colby measured 2.30 inches of rain while KLOE in Goodland received 0.60 inches.


Thank you to everyone who shared rainfall reports, storm photos, and damage information throughout the evening. Those reports, combined with information from the National Weather Service and local emergency officials, help paint a clearer picture of the storms as they move across our communities.


Ross Volkmer kept listeners informed throughout the evening with live severe weather coverage on NWKS Radio, tracking storms and providing timely updates as dangerous weather moved through the region.

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