Friday Night Twister Slams Into Wichita

A tornado that barreled through parts of Kansas damaged multiple buildings, injured several people, and left more than 6,500 people without power, officials said Saturday. Officials said the twister moved through parts of southeast Wichita and Andover on Friday evening, per the AP. Andover Fire Chief Chad Russell said during a news conference early Saturday morning that 50 to 100 buildings were damaged in Sedgwick County, though it wasn't immediately known how many buildings were damaged in Andover. Russell said in some neighborhoods homes "were completely blown away." Officials said only a few injuries had been reported. In Sedgwick County, three people were injured, including one woman who suffered serious injuries.

Russell said no injuries had been reported in Butler County, but a secondary assessment would be conducted Saturday morning. He added that while it wasn't immediately known how many buildings had been damaged, more than 900 structures were in the tornado's path. He said some neighborhoods were "damaged enough that houses were completely blown down" and cited areas that suffered "very bad damage." City Hall also sustained damage, which hampered "some of our efforts," Russell said. Other buildings reportedly damaged included a local YMCA and elementary school.

(More Kansas stories.)