Severe Weather Outbreak Brings Multiple Tornadoes, Flooding to Northwest Missouri
Multiple tornadoes and dangerous flooding struck northwest Missouri Sunday evening as severe storms unleashed 70 mph winds and two-inch hail across the region.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — A dangerous line of severe thunderstorms unleashed multiple tornadoes, damaging winds, and heavy flooding across northwest Missouri on Sunday evening, prompting more than two dozen weather warnings from the National Weather Service.
The storm system produced tornado warnings for Worth County, Nodaway County, Holt County, and Atchison County between 5:54 PM and 7:54 PM CDT, with radar indicating multiple rotating supercells capable of spawning tornadoes. Wind gusts reached 70 mph while hail up to two inches in diameter pounded communities across the region.
Tornado Activity Spans Multiple Counties
The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill issued tornado warnings for several areas as storms moved northeast at speeds between 15 and 45 mph. At 7:54 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Hopkins, approximately 10 miles north of Maryville, with radar showing rotation.
Earlier tornado warnings targeted communities including Maryville, Grant City, Burlington Junction, Hopkins, Tarkio, Fairfax, and Ravenwood. Emergency management officials confirmed a trained spotter reported a rotating wall cloud near Ravenwood at 6:40 PM CDT.
Locations impacted by the tornado warnings included Maryville, Burlington Junction, Hopkins, Braddyville, Sheridan, Parnell, Clearmont, Elmo, Pickering, Quitman, Grant City, Irena, Worth, Allendale, Denver, Hatfield, Mound City, Big Lake, Fortescue, Bigelow, Tarkio, Fairfax, and Blanchard.
Widespread Flooding Threatens Communities
Flash flood warnings remained in effect until 12:15 AM CDT Tuesday for Atchison County, northwestern Holt County, and northwestern Nodaway County. The National Weather Service reported Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain with 1.5 to 2 inches already fallen by 6:13 PM CDT.
Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 2 inches were expected across the warned areas, creating dangerous flash flooding conditions for small creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, and low-lying areas. Communities experiencing flooding include Tarkio, Rock Port, Fairfax, Craig, Elmo, Westboro, Watson, Corning, and Phelps City.
The Tarkio River at Fairfax faced moderate flooding, with the National Weather Service extending flood warnings until further notice. At 6:15 PM CDT Monday, the river stage measured 11.1 feet and was forecast to crest at 24.8 feet Tuesday morning, well above the 17.0-foot flood stage.
Interstate Travel Disrupted
The severe weather affected major transportation corridors, with warnings covering Interstate 29 between mile markers 59 and 123. Severe thunderstorm warnings specifically mentioned impacts to Interstate 29 between mile markers 59 and 61, 71 and 98, 79 and 91, 88 and 109, 90 and 106, and 100 and 123.
The National Weather Service warned that hail damage to vehicles was expected, with considerable tree damage and wind damage likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. Flying debris posed particular dangers to anyone caught without shelter as mobile homes faced potential damage or destruction.
A tornado watch remained extended until 10:00 PM CDT, including Grundy and Mercer counties in north central Missouri, affecting the cities of Mercer, Princeton, and Trenton.
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