Tornado Warning, Flooding Threaten Kansas City Metro Area
Tornado and flood warnings grip Kansas City metro as severe storms move through Missouri with damaging winds and rising rivers.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — Severe weather hit the Kansas City area Monday evening as the National Weather Service issued warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flooding across western Missouri.
A tornado warning was issued at 9:45 PM CDT for northern Cass County and west central Johnson County, with a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado located over Raymore and moving east at 50 mph. The warning remained in effect until 10:15 PM CDT.
“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely,” according to the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill.
Multiple Communities Under Threat
The tornado warning covered numerous communities including Lee’s Summit, Belton, Raymore, Pleasant Hill, Peculiar, Lake Winnebago, Kingsville, Baldwin Park, and Strasburg. Interstate 49 between mile markers 168 and 175 was also within the warning zone.
A separate severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 9:43 PM CDT for portions of north central Missouri, affecting Northeastern Grundy County, Northwestern Sullivan County, Mercer County, and Western Putnam County. That storm was located over Princeton, approximately 23 miles north of Trenton, and was moving northeast at 50 mph with 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail.
River Flooding Forecast
Flood concerns increased as the National Weather Service extended a flood warning for the 102 River at Maryville, affecting Andrew and Nodaway Counties. The warning was issued at 9:47 PM CDT Monday and remains in effect until 10:23 PM CDT Wednesday.
At 9:30 PM CDT Monday, the river stage measured 16.0 feet. Forecasters predicted the river would rise above the 18.0-foot flood stage just after midnight Tuesday, cresting at 21.6 feet early Tuesday afternoon before falling below flood stage late Tuesday evening.
The severe thunderstorm warning for north central Missouri communities remained active until 10:30 PM CDT Monday. Locations impacted by that storm included Unionville, Princeton, Mercer, Newtown, Pollock, Lucerne, Harris, Powersville, and Lemons.
Weather Service Guidance
All warnings originated from the National Weather Service office in Kansas City/Pleasant Hill Missouri. The tornado warning was based on radar-indicated rotation, while the severe thunderstorm warning was issued due to radar-indicated dangerous conditions.
Residents in affected areas were advised to seek immediate shelter and avoid travel through flooded roadways. The National Weather Service emphasized that minor flooding was forecast for the 102 River basin, with conditions expected to improve by Wednesday evening.
