Severe Storms Batter North Central Missouri with Tennis Ball-Sized Hail
Tennis ball-sized hail and 60 mph winds pounded north central Missouri Thursday evening as multiple severe thunderstorms triggered flash flood warnings.
TRENTON, MISSOURI — Severe thunderstorms hit north central Missouri Thursday evening, bringing tennis ball-sized hail, 60 mph winds, and flash flooding that led to warnings from the National Weather Service.
The storm system passed through Grundy, Harrison, Mercer, Linn, and Sullivan counties between 4:49 PM and 6:15 PM CDT on May 16, according to the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill. Trained weather spotters reported the largest hail near Milan, where tennis ball-sized stones fell around 5:19 PM.
Communities affected by the severe weather included Trenton, Bethany, Spickard, Galt, Browning, Laredo, Humphreys, Osgood, Reger, Cainsville, Mount Moriah, Modena, Tindall, Mill Grove, Gilman City, and Brimson. Interstate 35 was also impacted between mile markers 89 and 110.
Flash Flooding Creates Dangerous Conditions
A Flash Flood Warning was in effect until 11:30 PM Saturday for Grundy County and parts of Harrison and Mercer counties. Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms had already produced 2 to 3 inches of rain across the warned area by 5:26 PM, with an additional 0.5 to 2 inches possible.
“Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas” was expected, according to the National Weather Service warning. The agency confirmed that flash flooding was either ongoing or expected to begin shortly as of early evening Thursday.
Escalating Hail Sizes Threaten Property and Safety
Hail sizes varied dramatically across the storm system, starting with half dollar-sized stones near Bethany around 4:49 PM and escalating to ping pong ball-sized hail, two-inch hail, and eventually tennis ball-sized hail as the storms intensified and moved northeast at speeds between 25 and 30 mph.
The National Weather Service warned that people and animals outdoors could be injured by the larger hail and advised residents to expect damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Wind gusts consistently reached 60 mph throughout the storm system’s path.
All severe thunderstorm warnings were issued by the National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill, with the final warning expiring at 6:15 PM CDT. The storms were tracked using both radar indication and trained weather spotters positioned throughout the affected region.
