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Tornado warning: Kansas, Missouri residents urged to seek shelter during thunderstorm

The Storm Prediction Center said more than 55 million people were at risk for some type of severe weather on Wednesday

Tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings are in place in parts of Kansas and Missouri in the early hours of Wednesday, and officials have urged residents to seek shelter during the wild weather. Residents of Dallas, Texas, were among those told to be ready for heavy thunderstorms and potential tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center said more than 55 million people were at risk for some type of severe weather on Wednesday. On Thursday, 20 million people could see severe weather.

Caldwell and Dekalb counties in Missouri are under a tornado watch until 10.00 pm local time Tuesday night. According to KSHB Meteorologist Jeff Penner, "These are for potential brief, mainly small tornadoes on the leading of this line. No tornadoes reported at this time. We are watching the south end of the line as well." Through 10:15 pm local time, the National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for Osage City, Carbondale, and Overbrook, Kansas. Winds of more than 55 miles per hour are possible in some places, as well as the risk of penny-sized hail.

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Those who live in these locations are encouraged to seek refuge. In addition, until 1 am local time, a flash flood warning has been issued for Osage City, Carbondale, and Burlingame, Kansas. Residents in these areas are advised to seek higher ground, according to the National Weather Service. Through midnight, severe thunderstorms are likely in Kansas and Missouri.

According to the National Weather Service, there is still a potential for high winds, small hail, and maybe a brief tornado overnight. Depending on how the storms travel across the region, flooding could be a problem. Overnight, storms are likely to weaken.

In video footage published on Twitter, intense thunder and lightning can be heard and seen. Several emergency personnel can be seen heading toward the storm. The Twitter user wrote, "Severe storm as it pushed into SW Topeka with visible rotation as it passed overhead before prompting tornado warnings to the NE 3/29/22."

Another Twitter user shared a video with the remark, "Rotating storm (supercell) in Kansas in May. Produced a questionable brief tornado."

One Twitter user shared a photo of her dog, Bobo, with the words, "Tornado warning just north of Kansas City. Bobo is afraid of basements. But the kids did exactly what they were told…for once. They are aware that this area is famous because of a movie about tornadoes."

Some other Twitter user mocked the tornado situation in Kansas City, and wrote, "Tell me you’re from Kansas without telling me you’re from Kansas. When a tornado warning is issued you go outside, check the weather for yourself, and then end up sending radar screenshots to your siblings simultaneously. Also second guessing the meteorologist is a given."