Severe thunderstorm, tornado warnings issued in KC area: Follow updates
A tornado touched down near Clinton, Missouri, Wednesday evening as thunderstorms rolled through the Kansas City metro.
The National Weather Service predicted storms were slated to hit the region Wednesday afternoon and into the evening. The region was placed at an “enhanced risk” for severe weather.
Parts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa were placed under a tornado watch at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, lasting until 9 p.m.
Johnson, Linn, Miami and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and Bates, Cass, Clay, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri from the metro area were included in the watch.
Other countries in north-central, northwest and northeast Missouri were also included.
Miami County declares state of emergency after hailstorm causes ‘extensive’ damage
Miami County and the cities of Paola and Osawatomie “verbally declared” a state of emergency Wednesday after a hailstorm swept through the area.
The storm came just days after several tornadoes struck the region, destroying several buildings.
According to a preliminary storm report from the National Weather Service, trained weather spotters observed “up to tennis ball-size” hail in Paola and Osawatomie around 4:45 p.m.
The state of emergency was declared after the hail left “extensive damage to structures and vehicles,” according to a post from the Miami County Sheriff’s Office.
Clinton schools virtual Thursday following severe storm, tornado
Clinton area schools will be shut Thursday after a tornado swept through the area Wednesday.
The Clinton School District announced the closures in a social media post Wednesday evening.
“Due to damage caused by this evening’s storm, including roof damage and electrical issues that need to be addressed, school will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, April 16, to allow time for cleanup and to ensure the safety of our buildings,” the post said.
Students will instead participate in a virtual learning day, according to an alert on the school district’s website.
Two schools, Henry Elementary School and Clinton Intermediate School, were “in the path of the storm,” according to a Facebook post from the Clinton Fire Department.
Both buildings had “minor to moderate” roof damage, the post said.
No injuries reported in Clinton tornado; storage facility destroyed
After a tornado touched down in Clinton, Missouri, on Wednesday, local officials have started to assess the damage.
The tornado passed through southwest Clinton at 6:15 p.m., the Clinton Fire Department said in a social media post Wednesday evening.
The fire department said rotation was first spotted near South Second Street, near the Missouri Department of Conservation office, before traveling northeast through the city.
A storage building on South Second Street, behind America Building Products, was “completely destroyed,” the fire department said.
No injuries were reported within city limits after the storm, the fire department said. The tornado caused damage to trees, and “minor to moderate damage to a few homes.”
Several homes also had damage from tree limbs, according to the post.
Tornado warning issued in St. Clair County
Northeast St. Clair County was placed under a tornado warning at 6:39 p.m. after the National Weather Service’s radar indicated possible rotation in a severe thunderstorm near Lowry City, Missouri.
The warning remained in place until 7:15 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Affected areas included Truman Lake, Osceola, Lowry City, Harper and Iconium.
Tornado touches down in Clinton
The National Weather Service said storm chasers and radar activity confirmed a tornado in Clinton, Missouri, at 6:10 p.m.
Northeast Henry and southwest Pettis counties remained under a tornado watch until 6:45 p.m., according to the warning.
Affected areas included Clinton, Windsor, Calhoun, Coal, Tightwad and Truman Lake.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 6:48 PM.
