Citizens should be prepared for severe storms Saturday afternoon, as a tornado watch has been issued until 7 p.m.
A tornado watch is in effect until 7 p.m. for Pettis County, as well as Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Bollinger, Boone, Butler, Callaway, Camden, Carter, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Henry, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Iron, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Laclede, Lafayette, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Saline, Shannon, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster and Wright counties.
According to Mark Jackson, interim director for Sedalia-Pettis County Emergency Management Agency, said severe weather is possible between noon and 8 p.m. for Pettis County.
Large hail, high winds, lightning and possible tornadoes could be expected with these storms,” Jackson said. “The shelters are open and will remain so all weekend. Please be aware of the weather if you have have outdoor activities planned.”
According to information from the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, storms moving through Kansas early Saturday morning were expected to continue east into western Missouri where they would dissipate. While the morning storms were not expected to have much severe potential, they helped set the stage for storms later in the day that will be severe.
As of Saturday morning, expectations are that more thunderstorms will redevelop in eastern Kansas around noon, with this round of storms once again moving east into Missouri. While there will be a threat of severe weather across eastern Kansas and all of Missouri, the focus for the most damaging and dangerous severe weather will be in areas along and south of I-70 between noon and 9 p.m.
The threats from the severe weather will include all types, ranging from large hail and damaging winds of 60-plus mph to isolated tornadoes. The highest potential for tornadoes will be across southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri early Saturday afternoon as storms begin to develop and move east.
The sheriff’s office recommends citizens review their severe weather plans to prepare for any severe weather and to stay aware of weather changes.
