Weather

By Elana Gordon and Laura Spencer

Kansas City, MO – Just after noon today, a tornado touched down in Sedalia, Missouri. Heavy damage is reported in some parts of the city. According to the Sedalia Democrat, early reports include damage along U.S. 65 and debris throughout the area.

By AP/KCUR

Kansas City, Mo. – The National Weather says at least two tornadoes it describes as very weak and brief have touched down and lifted near Kansas City, Mo. Warning sirens have been shut off downtown.

Meteorologist Julie Adolphson says there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage resulting from the
tornadoes reported in suburban Overland Park, Kan., and near Harrisonville, Mo., south of Kansas City.

By Rachel Lippmann, KWMU

St. Louis, Mo. – The tornado that slammed into Joplin on Sunday is now the eighth deadliest on record. The death toll reached 122 people last nigh. The National Weather Service has increased the rating of the storm's strength to an EF-5 - the highest category. Winds topped 200 miles per hour. Search and rescue crews rescued two more people from the wreckage yesterday (Tuesday), bringing the total number of rescues to nine.

By Bryan Thompson, Kansas Public Radio

SALINA, Ks. – The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is hoping the disastrous tornadoes that hit Reading and Joplin the past few days will prompt people to take steps to prepare for disaster. And as Bryan Thompson reports, having a cell phone may be as important as having a flashlight on hand.

By KPR's Bryan Thompson

Salina, Kan. – Conditions are right for another outbreak of severe thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes in Kansas this (TUE) afternoon and this evening. As Kansas Public Radio's Bryan Thompson reports, now is the time to get ready.

By KPR's J. Schafer

Lawrence, Kan. – Power is slowly returning to the storm-damaged town of Reading (RED-ing). Utility crews said they hoped to have electricity restored to 30-percent of the town by Monday night. But water and sewer service remain unavailable. In the wake of deadly and damaging tornadoes over the weekend, state officials are calling for more storm preparedness. KPR's J. Schafer has more.

By Dan Verbeck

Joplin, Mo. – Missouri Governor Jay Nixon wants a second search of every collapsed building. But a city official says all FEMA requirements are being met, including double examinations of buildings. Relief work though has barely begun. Dan Verbeck is in Joplin and has this report.

By Dan Verbeck

Joplin, Mo. – The city of Joplin is trying to recover from Sunday night's tornado that killed at least 116 people. The recovery has been slow but methodical. KCUR's Dan Verbeck is there.

So many hundreds of homes over more than a hundred square blocks were damaged or destroyed. And it ripped apart families.

Fire rescue teams from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas have been searching for victims since shortly after the F-4 twister struck. The effort has never let up.