Strong Storms Damage Campgrounds at Smithville Lake

Strong storms developed in Clay County on Tuesday, April 16th and caused damage to buildings, campers overhead power lines poles near Smithville Lake. Clay County Sheriff's Office public relations manager Sarah Boyd visited camp branch campground to survey the damage right after the storm.

“I found an overturned camper at camp branch campground,” said Boyd. “The roof was blown off the KC trap shooters association building, and there were power lines down on Mt. Olivet Rd. at NE 144th St. and trees were knocked down in the 17900 block of Collins Rd.”

Clay County Commissioner JoAnn Lawson responded immediately to KCTA Range at Smithville Lake to view tornado damage. Sheriff’s Deputy Major Coffer and Park Director John Davis assisted JoAnn touring the damaged area

Witnesses at the KC Trapshooters Association reported that a tornado caused this damage. The building, which is located at the entrance to Camp Branch Campground, was suffered severe damage, and their Facebook post calls the event ‘catastrophic’. The National Weather Service will investigate the damage to determine whether a tornado was involved or if it was just very high winds.

No injuries were reported as a result of this storm.

Camp Branch Campground at Smithville Lake is now closed and will remain closed until Tuesday April 23rd. The Kansas City Trapshooters Association has cancelled all activities until further notice at their location.

Clay County Parks staff are working to reschedule camping reservations in Crow’s Creek Campground or for a later date. For any questions call 816-407-3400, option 3.

UPDATE Wed., April 17:

One family was seriously impacted by what has now been confirmed to be an EF-1 tornado at Smithville Lake. A mom, dad and 11-year-old boy, as well as their dog and cat, lived in the overturned camper full-time. It was blown over and severely damaged. The family managed to make it to safety in one of the campground’s bathrooms, which also serve as storm shelters.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story