Severe weather rolls out of KC, leaving some damage, power outages: Live updates
After severe storms rolled through the Kansas City metro Friday, including a suspected tornado in Belton, many residents have been left without power.
The Storm Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service, initially issued a tornado watch as an outbreak of severe weather threatened to bring large hail, damaging winds and possibly isolated tornadoes to the region.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Storm Prediction Center raised the metro’s risk of severe weather from an Enhanced Risk to a Moderate Risk, from a Level 3 to a Level 4 out of 5.
The storms were expected to develop between 1 and 3 p.m. and spread eastward across the region through the evening, the National Weather Service in Kansas City said in an afternoon briefing. The initial storms posed a threat with all hazards before merging into a line of storms.
At that point, damaging winds were slated to become the primary threat, with maximum gusts of 75 to 90 mph possible, although a brief tornado or two couldn’t be ruled out within the line of storms, the weather service said.
There was also a risk of flash flooding, particularly south of Interstate 70, where the setup favors torrential rainfall in the evening and storms repeatedly hit the same areas, the weather service said.
Thousands remain without power after severe weather
Power was slowly restored to areas in the Kansas City metro after severe storms rolled out of the area Friday evening.
Around 8:30 p.m., Evergy reported just over 7,000 customers remained without power across the metro.
In Belton, nearly 2,500 customers were without power, Evergy said. A tornado reportedly touched down near the city around 5:30 p.m.
In Wyandotte County, the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities reported nearly 70 outages.
In Independence, power was largely restored, according to Independence Power and Light. Just over 30 customers remained without power around 8:30 p.m.
Severe storms move out of Kansas City metro, flood threats remain
The chance for severe weather in the Kanas City metro Friday is over, according to the National Weather Service.
The storms rolled through Friday afternoon, bringing high winds, hail and a reported tornado near Belton.
Severe weather watches and warnings were cancelled throughout the metro as storms moved northeast, according to the weather service’s radar.
Although the immediate threat passed, flood watches and warnings remained as a cold front moved through the region, according to the weather service.
Flood watches in Kansas and Missouri remained throughout the night as excessive runoff heightened the potential for rivers, creeks, streams and “other low-lying and flood-prone locations” to overflow, the warning said.
Counties included in the flood watch include:
Kansas:
- Johnson
- Leavenworth
- Linn
- Miami
- Wyandotte
Missouri:
- Bates
- Carroll
- Cass
- Clay
- Henry
- Jackson
- Johnson
- Lafayette
- Platte
- Ray
See the full list of Kansas and Missouri counties affected by the flood watch here.
Forecasters also issued flood warnings lasting until Sunday morning near several Missouri rivers. Cass, Johnson, Henry and Bates counties were included in that warning, specifically in areas near Big Creek in Blairstown and South Grand River in Urich.
Thousands without power in Belton after reported tornado
Over 4,000 Belton residents were without power as of 6:30 p.m. Friday after a tornado reportedly touched down in the area.
According to Evergy’s power outage map, the outages occurred around Missouri 50.
Just south of Missouri 50, nearly 2,000 residents were without power, according to the map. The outage reached just short of the intersection of East 195th Street and South Cleveland Avenue.
Surrounding the highway, from about North Cedar Street to Peculiar Drive, nearly 1,400 outages were reported, according to Evergy.
Just north of the highway, from about South Outer Road to Rebecca Lane, just over 700 outages were reported, according to the map.
Tornado watch canceled for parts of the KC metro
The National Weather Service shortly before 6 p.m. canceled the tornado watch for several counties, including several in the metro.
The counties in the metro no longer under the tornado watch include Johnson, Leavenworth, Wyandotte counties in Kansas, as well as Clay, and Platte counties in Missouri.
Other counties dropped from the tornado watch include Atchison and Doniphan counties in Kansas and Andrew, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Mercer, Nodaway and Worth counties in Missouri.
The watch continues for Linn and Miami counties in Kansas and Adair, Bates, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Cooper, Henry, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Pettis, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler and Sullivan counties in Missouri until 9 p.m.
Over 10,000 without power in Kansas City metro
Over 10,000 people were without power in the Kansas City metro Friday as storms continued to roll through the area.
At 5:40 p.m. Friday, Evergy reported approximately 11,450 customers without power. The highest concentration of outages were reported near Paola and Osawatomie, reaching to Grandview.
In Wyandotte County, the Kansas City Public Board of Utilities reported just over 1,000 customers without power.
In Independence, over 100 customers were without power, according to Independence Power and Light.
Severe thunderstorm warning issued in Clay, Jackson counties
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Clay and Jackson counties until 6 p.m.
A severe storm with high winds was located over Buckner, heading west through the Kansas City metro, according to the weather service.
Cities impacted include:
- Kansas City
- Independence
- Lee’s Summit
- Blue Springs
- Raytown
- Liberty
- Gladstone
- Grain Valley
- Excelsior Springs
- Kearney
- North Kansas City
- Sugar Creek
- Buckner
- Claycomo
- Courtney
- Pleasant Valley
- Lake Tapawingo
- Glenaire
- Avondale
- Oakview
Tornado reportedly touched down near Belton
The National Weather Service said a member of the public reported a tornado touched down in Belton.
The report came in about 5:25 p.m. No further information was immediately available.
At about 5:35 p.m., the weather service expired the tornado warning for Cass and Jackson counties.
Tornado warning issued for southern part of KC metro
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning shortly after 5:10 p.m. for parts of Miami, Johnson Cass and Jackson counties in the metro area.
The weather service said that at 5:12 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located about 7 miles southwest of Belton and was moving northeast at 50 mph. Radar indicated that there was rotation in the storm.
At 5:24, an observed tornado was located over Raymore moving northeast at 50 mph.
Communities under the warning include Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Belton, Raymore, Pleasant Hill, Greenwood, Peculiar, Lake Winnebago, Cleveland, Unity Village, and Stilwell. It also affected stretches of Interstates 470 and 49 in the area.
The warning was in effect until 5:45 p.m. Shortly after it was issued, the weather service canceled the warning for Johnson and Miami counties, but left it in place for Cass and Jackson counties.
Thousands without power as storms roll through metro
Thousands were without power in the Kansas City metro Friday as severe storms passed through the region.
According to Evergy, over 4,000 customers were without power as of 5 p.m. The highest concentration of customers without power, approximately 501-2,000, was in the area near Osawatomie, Paola, Spring Hill and Olathe.
In Kansas City, Kansas, the Kansas City Public Board of Utilities reported around 1,400 customers were without power just after 4:30 p.m. Several more power outages were predicted to hit the area.
Flash flood warning issued for Kansas City metro area
Thunderstorms dumped heavy rains in the metro area, leading to the National Weather Service issuing a flash flood warning.
Shortly after 5 p.m., radar indicated that torrential rains were falling across the metro. Between .5 and 1 inch of rain had already fallen and up to another inch of rain was possible.
“Flash flooding is ongoing or is epxected to begin shortly,” the weather service said.
Kansas City Scout traffic cameras showed that vehicles stranded in floodwaters along Interstate 70 at Broadway. Meanwhile, drivers encountered deep water at Interstate 35 on the west side of the downtown loop.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Shawnee, Blue Springs, Lenexa, Leawood, Raytown, Liberty, Gladstone, Grandview, Prairie Village, Merriam, Mission, Bonner Springs, Parkville, Edwardsville and North Kansas City.
“Turn around, down’t drown when encountering flooded roads,” the weather service advised. “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
More counties added to severe thunderstorm watch
As storms moved through Johnson County, several more counties in Kansas and Missouri were added to a severe thunderstorm warning until 5:30 p.m.
In Kansas, Wyandotte, Leavenworth and Johnson counties were added to the watch, according to the National Weather Service. Ray, Platte and Jackson counties in Missouri were also added to the thunderstorm warning.
The storm was located near Kansas City, Kansas, moving northeast at 40 mph, according to the warning.
At the Kansas City Downtown Airport — Wheeler Field, winds gusts of 63 mph were reported as the storms moved through.
Cities impacted include:
- Kansas City
- Overland Park
- Independence
- Lee’s Summit
- Shawnee
- Blue Springs
- Lenexa
- Leawood
- Raytown
- Liberty
- Gladstone
- Prairie Village
- Grain Valley
- Excelsior Springs
- Merriam
- Mission
- Kearney
- Bonner Springs
- De Soto
- Parkville
Severe storm with strong winds located near Ottawa: ‘Flying debris will be dangerous’
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning in Johnson, Miami, Linn and Cass counties until 5:15 p.m.
The storm was located near Ottawa, moving east in a line at 65 mph, the warning said. The storm will include strong wind gusts, up to 80 mph, and nickel sized hail.
“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” the warning said.
Cities impacted by the warning include:
- Overland Park
- Olathe
- Shawnee
- Lenexa
- Leawood
- Prairie Village
- Gardner
- Merriam
- Mission
- Paola
- Spring Hill
- Osawatomie
- Louisburg
- Fairway
- Mission Hills
- Edgerton
- Westwood
- La Cygne
- Linn Valley
- Westwood Hills
Thunderstorm warning for ‘destructive storms’ issued Kansas counties near metro
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Franklin, north Anderson and southeastern Osage counties in east-central Kansas that is in effect until 4:45 p.m.
At 4:21 p.m., severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Quenemo to Williamsburg to 3 miles west of Harris, and were moving east at 55 mph.
“These are destructive storms for Franklin County and areas along I-35,” the weather service said. Wind gust of 80 mph and nickel-size hail were expected.
Communities under the warning include Ottawa, Pomona, Richmond, Williamsburg, Quenemo, Princeton, Lane, and Rantoul.
Tornado warning issue for counties near Ottawa, Kansas
A tornado warning was issued just before 4 p.m. for southern Osage and northern Coffey counties, south and west of Ottawa, Kansas.
A severe thunderstorm, capable of producing a tornado, was over Lebo, Kansas, moving to the northeast at 60 mph. Radar indicated there was rotation in the storm.
The communities included in the warning are Lyndon, Lebo, Waverly, Melvern, Olivet, Beto Junction, and Melvern Lake.
The warning, which was to be in effect until 4:30 p.m., was canceled about 4:20 p.m.
Severe thunderstorm warning issued following tornado warning
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued until 4:30 p.m. north of the metro after a tornado warning expired, according to the National Weather Service.
The warning included areas in Buchanan, Daviess, Clinton, Caldwell and DeKalb counties, the weather service said. This included the cities of Gower and Cameron.
The severe storm was located just before 4 p.m. over Gower, moving northeast at 40 mph, the weather service said. The weather radar indicated ping pong ball sized hail.
Missouri governor issues state of emergency as storms hit region
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency in the state Friday as severe weather rolls through the region.
According to a news release from the governor’s office, the declaration was made “in preparation” for the weather, which could bring large hail, damaging winds and potential tornadoes to the region.
The state of emergency enables “state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to expedite assistance,” the order said.
“Keeping Missourians safe is our top priority as this system continues throughout the day and into the night,” Kehoe said. “Stay aware of local forecasts, follow official warnings, and ensure you have multiple ways to receive alerts overnight.”
The state of emergency will expire on May 17.
Tornado warning issued for north of metro
A tornado warning was issued shortly before 3 p.m. for southeastern Atchison County, Kansas, and southwestern Buchanan County and northern Platte counties in Missouri.
Shortly after 2:55 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near about 8 miles southwest of Atchison, moving east at 40 mph. Radar indicated there was rotation in the storm.
Cities impacted by the storm include St. Joseph, Atchison, Dearborn, Camden Point, Rushville, Lewis and Clark Village, De Kalb, Iatan, Faucett, Potter, Cummings, and Bean Lake.
At about 3:05, a storm spotter reported that a tornado had briefly touched down near the unincorporated community of Potter, south of Atchison.
The warning was in effect until 3:30 p.m.
At 3:25 p.m., the weather service issued a tornado warning for southeastern Buchanan County, western Clinton County and northeastern Platte County, saying a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Dearborn, or 8 miles north of Weston, moving east at 40 mph.
Radar had indicated rotation. Quarter-sized hail was also possible.
Communities that were covered by the watch include Gower, Agency, Edgerton, Dearborn, De Kalb, and Faucett.
The weather service canceled the tornado warning for Buchanan, Clinton and Platte counties at 3:45 p.m.
Severe thunderstorm warnings issued in northeast Kansas, northwest Missouri
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 3:45 p.m. for several counties in northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri.
The weather service’s radar indicated a severe thunderstorm around 2:30 p.m. near Lewis and Clark Village, according to the warning.
The severe thunderstorm warning, initially set to expire at 3:15 p.m., was extended until 3:45 p.m., the weather service said.
The storm may produce up to 60 mph wind gusts and golf ball sized hail, according to the warning. There is also potential for a tornado.
“Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding and trees,” the weather service said.
Kansas counties under the warning include southeast Doniphan and east Atchison. In Missouri, Buchanan and north Platte counties are under the warning.
In Missouri, St. Joseph, Gower, Dearborn and Faucett may be impacted by the storm. In Kansas, Atchison could face severe weather.
Counties in KC metro placed under tornado watch, ‘intense tornadoes’ possibile
The National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration placed several counties in the Kansas City metro under a tornado watch at 1:35 p.m. Friday until 9 p.m.
The watch, which is in effect until 9 p.m. Friday, is for portions of south-central and eastern Kansas, northern and west-central Missouri and northern and western Oklahoma.
A few tornadoes are likely across the area, with a “couple intense tornadoes possible,” according to the Storm Prediction Center. Widespread damaging winds and isolated very large hail, up to 4 inches in diameter, is likely, according to the watch.
Thunderstorms are developing along a cold front that extends from northwest Missouri into northwest Oklahoma. The environment ahead of the front is very unstable and capable of supporting robust supercell tornadoes, forecasters said.
“The environment ahead of this front is very unstable and strongly sheared, and capable of supporting robust supercells,” NOAA said.
The counties in and around the Kansas City metro included in the tornado watch include:
Kansas:
- Allen
- Anderson
- Atchison
- Douglas
- Franklin
- Johnson
- Leavenworth
- Linn
- Lyon
- Miami
- Osage
- Shawnee
- Wyandotte
Missouri:
- Buchanan
- Caldwell
- Cass
- Clay
- Clinton
- Dekalb
- Jackson
- Lafayette
- Livingston
- Nodaway
- Pettis
- Platte
- Ray
- St. Clair
See the full list of counties under tornado watches here.
This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 2:36 PM.
