The Kansas City area is at a moderate risk of severe weather today, the National Weather Service says. A tornado watch has been issued for the region until 9 p.m.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for south-central Jackson County just after 5 p.m., and reported a tornado on the ground heading east from Raymore just before 5:30.
The agency urged people to take cover if they're in the affected areas: Lee`s Summit, Grandview, Belton, Raymore, Pleasant Hill, Greenwood, Lake Winnebago, and Unity Village. That includes I-470 between mile markers five and ten and I-49 between mile markers 171 and 179.
The Missouri Department of Transportation shut down I-70 at Broadway Avenue in Kansas City. The department's cameras showed heavy flooding on I-35, as well.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe activated the state emergency operations plan for severe weather on Friday afternoon, allowing state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions.
Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected beginning this afternoon. All severe hazards will be possible but large hail will be the primary initial threat, and damaging winds will become more probable as storms organize into clusters or lines, the weather service says. Isolated tornadoes are also possible.
WATCH vs. WARNING ft. #tacos
— Johnson Co. EM (@JoCo_Emergency) May 5, 2022
👀WATCH: conditions are favorable for severe weather. Continue to monitor, stay alert, and be ready to take action.
⚠️WARNING: severe weather is imminent or occurring. Take appropriate action immediately. #SevereWeather #Tornadoes #kswx pic.twitter.com/nVV7w46mVz
Several schools and government buildings in the metro have announced early closures today in anticipation of severe weather. Among them are Kansas City Public Schools, with all students having been released by 12:45 p.m., and all Jackson County public buildings, to be closed by 3 p.m.
Flash flooding and river flooding are possible this evening from storms capable of producing torrential rainfall. A flood watch is in effect late this afternoon through tonight, roughly along and south of Interstate 70, according to the weather service.
Friday’s storm system would be the third to roll through the metro this week.
Several tornadoes touched down in east-central Kansas on Monday, leaving a trail of damage in Miami and Franklin counties. And a storm system on Wednesday brought numerous severe thunderstorms to the Kansas City area.
Cooler temperatures are expected on Saturday, with overnight lows falling to the mid-30s and areas of frost possible.
