On September third, Kansas experienced a daunting storm. Reports of baseball-sized hail shattered windshields and dented multiple cars. For many students, Kansas is a new environment.
With this comes some adjustments, nonetheless, adding to the clearly devastating effect of the weather that took place here in Kansas. This type of storm is unfamiliar to many of the freshmen on the McPherson campus. I interviewed college student Cynthia Herrera. Cynthia is an Environmental Stewardship major. She came to McPherson on a women’s bowling scholarship, and she plans to have an enjoyable year with the McPherson women’s bowling team. Cynthia was leaving the bowling alley at the time that the hail hit. She stated, “In Washington, we get storms, but not like these. My car was dented by how harsh the hail was.”
Given this unfortunate news about her car, I asked Cynthia if she was planning to take her car in to get it fixed. She said, “Financially, it’s out of budget at the moment.” However, Cynthia went on to share her struggles with the hailstorm. She mentioned one of her teammates who had been struck in the head by a piece of hail as she attempted to load her bowling balls into her car.
Although a very impactful story was shared, Cynthia was only one of the many individuals affected by this storm. McPherson Student Affairs reported flooding on campus and damage to many vehicles. According to the Weather.gov website, McPherson reported cases of hail as big as 2.75 inches. Additionally, in surrounding areas such as Salina and Sedgwick, they also reported that frightening 2.75-inch hail. Amidst the hail, winds reached 30–40 mph gusts that amplified the storm itself.
In conclusion, the September third hailstorm left a lasting impression on the McPherson community, especially for students new to Kansas weather. While no serious injuries were reported, the storm caused significant property damage and emotional distress — especially for out-of-state students like Cynthia Herrera, who are still adjusting to the Midwest climate. Her experience reflects the larger impact that this severe weather had on the student body, from dented vehicles to broader safety concerns. As the semester continues, students and staff are left to navigate the aftermath while building strength in the face of unpredictable weather. The storm served as an abrupt reminder of nature’s power and the importance of community support in times of crisis.
