High wind causes damage around Kansas; snow closes roads

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Ferocious winds caused damage across much of Kansas, while a blizzard closed roads in western sections of the state.

Westbound lanes of Interstate 70 and several other highways in western Kansas were closed Wednesday evening because of blizzard conditions. A blizzard warning remains until midday Thursday in western Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports at least four semi-trailer trucks were blown over Wednesday. A Wichita man was injured when a tree blew over on him, and winds tipped over a nearly 3,000-pound dinosaur statue at the Field Station Dinosaurs park in Derby.

The National Weather Service says a wind gust of 85 mph was reported near Weskan, with another gust of 75 mph south of Elkhart.

A high wind warning remains for nearly all of the state Thursday, with gusts expected to decline to between 50 to 60 mph gusts.