Severe Thunderstorms Sweep Across Missouri Overnight
Severe storms with 72 mph winds, ping pong ball-size hail and a confirmed tornado swept across Missouri overnight, affecting dozens of communities.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, hail, and a confirmed tornado struck multiple counties across Missouri late Sunday night and early Monday morning, prompting numerous warnings from the National Weather Service.
The storm system produced winds up to 72 mph and hail ranging from penny size to ping pong ball size as it moved eastward across the state between 8:35 p.m. Sunday and 4:15 a.m. Monday.
Tornado Confirmed in Western Missouri
Weather spotters confirmed a tornado near Pleasanton around 8:35 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill. The tornado moved northeast at 40 mph through east central Linn County in Kansas and western Bates County in Missouri, affecting Pleasanton, Amoret, Foster, and Worland.
The tornado warning remained in effect until 9:00 p.m. Sunday, with officials warning that “flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter” and that mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed.
Widespread Wind and Hail Damage
Emergency management personnel reported a 72 mph wind gust around 10:31 p.m. Sunday in the Windsor area, prompting upgraded warnings for Henry County. The storms produced considerable tree damage and posed risks to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings across multiple counties.
The severe weather impacted numerous communities throughout the night, including Clinton, Windsor, Leeton, Warrensburg, Harrisonville, Pleasant Hill, Oak Grove, Odessa, Holden, Concordia, Sweet Springs, Higginsville, Carrollton, and Lexington.
Quarter-size hail was reported in several locations, with ping pong ball-size hail documented near Harrisonville. The National Weather Service warned that hail damage to vehicles was expected, along with wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Northern Missouri Counties Under Warning
Early Monday morning, severe thunderstorm warnings continued for northern Missouri counties including Marion, Knox, and Lewis counties. The storms moved through communities such as Palmyra, Lewistown, Ewing, Monticello, La Grange, and Canton.
Wakonda State Park was among the locations specifically mentioned in multiple warnings as storms passed through the region between 3:05 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. Monday.
The weather service reported that storms were moving northeast at speeds between 25 and 40 mph, with radar indicating continued threats of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail.
River Flooding Continues
Separate from the thunderstorm activity, the National Weather Service extended flood warnings for multiple locations along the Mississippi River. Minor flooding is occurring at Hannibal, Clarksville, and Louisiana, with flood warnings extending through this weekend.
At Hannibal, the Mississippi River reached 17.3 feet at 9:15 p.m. Monday, above the 17.0-foot flood stage. The river is forecast to crest at 17.5 feet Wednesday morning before falling below flood stage Friday afternoon.
The Clarksville location is experiencing more significant flooding, with the river at 25.8 feet Monday night, well above the 25.0-foot flood stage. Officials warn that State Route P east of Elsberry will begin flooding at 25.5 feet.
