storms

Kansas City has seen a lot of storms this year, but the metro has avoided a devastating tornado. Some locals say there’s a reason for that: the Tonganoxie Split. But is there any scientific evidence backing up this long-standing legend?

A local weather phenomenon holds that the 6,100-person town of Tonganoxie, Kansas, can weaken and divide thunderstorms and tornadoes. Experts are mixed on its existence — and what causes it — but locals say otherwise.

Destructive tornadoes have hit states such as Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana this season as activity shifts east. Meanwhile, scientists say dry and hot weather in the Great Plains brought on by climate change could be slowing the number of tornadoes there.

The legislation aimed at the Chiefs and Royals is estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Missouri would pay up to half the cost of total project costs for building a new stadium or renovating an old one, and would have a clawback provision if the teams leave the state.

Kansas City is seeing flooding around the metro, plus downed trees and traffic crashes, after a "confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado" was reported in Raytown near the Truman Sports Complex.

The National Weather Service says a "confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado" was located near Raytown, moving east at 45 mph towards Independence. Tornado warnings have been canceled for Jackson County and surrounding areas, but the threat of flash flooding remains.

Information is emerging about how many people in north St. Louis did not have homeowners insurance when storms ripped through the region on May 16. Still, the data is just an early estimate, against the backdrop of a rising number of homeowners around the country who don't have policies.

The EF3 tornado that tore through the St. Louis region last week destroyed the Scott-Lyles family's legacy home — a house that had stood for over a century. 60-year-old Rena Scott-Lyles was killed while trying to run to her basement.

Emergency Management Commissioner Sarah Russell was placed on paid administrative leave pending an external investigation into the actions of the agency during Friday's deadly tornado.

It's getting more common for a lot of tornadoes to form over a big area in a short period of time — such as the outbreak that killed dozens in Kentucky and Missouri. But the total number of tornadoes each year in the U.S. is stable.

Kansas City is getting hit by winds up to 80 MPH and half-dollar-sized hail that could damage roofs or cars. The area is also in danger of flash flooding, as thunderstorms batter the Midwest and Great Plains.

"It literally had looked like a bomb had just went off," one volunteer said of the tornado's damage in north St. Louis. "Blocks and blocks of homes that are just gone."