A massive EF-4 tornado touched down south of Lawrence, Kansas about 6:15 pm local time and carved a 32-mile path of destruction toward Kansas City, causing heavy damage and prompting the National Weather Service to declare a "tornado emergency" for several counties in the Kansas City metro area.
Details: The NWS reported debris from the tornado fell from the sky ahead of the storm along I-70 to the north and northeast of Edwardsville. LMH Health said 12 people were being treated in hospital in Douglas County for injuries after the tornado hit, with 1 person in surgery Tuesday night. The tornado caused Kansas City International Airport to temporarily suspend flights and send workers and travelers into shelter.
The latest: Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) said President Trump granted the state's request for an emergency federal disaster declaration for 18 Kansas counties affected by the severe weather.
- Two vans with the storm chasing tour operator Silver Lining Tours were overturned by the tornado as it passed south of Lawrence, resulting in minor injuries, according to the company.
- The storm crossed into Missouri, where more tornado warnings were issued at about 7:30 pm local time and a new tornado from the same thunderstorm touched down near Kearney, Missouri.
- Based on a storm damage survey, that tornado was rated as an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with top winds of 135 mph.
- Flash flood warnings stretched across northeast Kansas, Southern Iowa and northern Missouri.
- The Red Cross has opened a shelter for people affected by the tornado, with the Kansas City Star reporting homes and other structures were destroyed in Linwood.
The big picture: Using Doppler radar imagery, meteorologists were able to pinpoint the tornado's location as well as confirm the damage left in its wake, as debris was lofted tens of thousands of feet into the air.
- These storms are just part of a broader arc of severe thunderstorms causing flooding, hail and tornadoes stretching from Texas to Pennsylvania on Tuesday night.
Context: It's been 13 consecutive days where a tornado has touched down, the longest stretch since 1980.
A significant debris fallout signature is being observed by radar. Would not at all be surprised if reports of debris falling from the sky extend well downstream of where the tornado lifted. pic.twitter.com/ka84FOIXMz
— Taylor Trogdon (@TTrogdon) May 29, 2019
It’s so big camera can only show right side of huge wedge tornado. This view from Kansa Motor Speedway pic.twitter.com/IUsujGsMdr
— Bill Karins (@BillKarins) May 28, 2019
Oh my gosh. This is absolutely terrifying.@kmbc showing what looks like a mile wide tornado moving through the Linwood, KS area just to the west-southwest of Kansas City.
— Stephen Nehrenz (@StephenNehrenz) May 28, 2019
Deadly, life-threatening situation. #kswx pic.twitter.com/GJFdGqMjVW
NewsChopper 9 over damaged homes in the Linwood, KS area off K-32 Hwy. @kmbc pic.twitter.com/TeVZyBIrNQ
— Kris Ketz (@KrisKetzKMBC) May 29, 2019
Only thing left standing to this Linwood, Kansas homeowners workshop garage is the doorframe.... @arothfield with tornado damage coverage tonight at 10pm on @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/izMSxWOw3P
— Giovanni Garcia (@giovanniggarcia) May 29, 2019
This house is now unlivable. Owners of the home say they have lived here 14 years and everything is just gone. pic.twitter.com/UaUMzC4RKk
— Jordan Betts (@JordanBettsTV) May 29, 2019
@KCTV5 Debris falling from the sky in smithville, mo pic.twitter.com/uzm9A5CiiU
— NettyMc (@netty23) May 29, 2019
