K.C. Metro-MetroRegion WEATHER: Tornado Watch No. 342 In Effect Until 11 PM - KS-MO-NE-IA

Most of Metro Kansas City and that part of the northern K.C. MetroRegion shown is included in Tornado Watch Number 342 until 11 PM this Sunday night.

Metro K.C. counties of Miami & Linn in KS and Cass and Johnson in Missouri are NOT included in this watch.

Thunderstorms developing rapidly over north into east-central Kansas will increase in number & intensity over the next few hours. Movement will be from the west and southwest- possibly from the northwest later tonight.

Here are the latest visible satellite and NWS Doppler radar images:

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Tips For When The Power Fails

Though most of the Kansas City MetroRegion has been spared this widespread problem so far this year- power failures and outages too often occur.

Here are some helpful tips when the power goes out- courtesy of FEMA:


When the power fails, resist the temptation to call 9-1-1 for information - that's what your battery-powered radio is for.

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to prevent food spoilage.

Turn off electric appliances to protect against power surges when power is restored. Turn off all lights but one (to alert you when power resumes).

Plan on cell phones or corded phones for emergency calls—cordless phones require electricity.

Keep your car fuel tank at least half-full (gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps).

Candles can be dangerous fire hazards. Flashlights and electric lanterns are safer by far.

Battery operated radios and (alarm) clocks are other essentials, along with a supply of fresh batteries. If electric wheel chairs or electric life support devices are part of the equation, consider extra battery packs or a prearranged agreement from local police or fire stations for priority support.

Never use a portable generator in a garage, carport, basement, crawl-space or other enclosed or partially-enclosed area, even with ventilation. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately. Install home Carbon Monoxide alarms that have battery back-up. Store fuel safely.

When the power comes back on, wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances to help eliminate problems that could occur if there's a sharp increase in demand. If you think that electric power has been restored to your area but your home is still without power, call your local power company.

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Metro-MetroRegion K.C. WEATHER: "Moderate Risk" Of Severe T-stms and Tornadoes Later Today

Metro Kansas City as well as much of the northern Kansas and Missouri MetroRegion is under a "moderate risk" of severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes later today through Monday morning.


The greatest risk of severe weather will be later this Sunday afternoon into evening. This risk area includes the Kansas City- St. Joseph- Maryville- Chillicothe and Bethany-MO areas- as well as Kansas cities as Lawrence- Atchison- Leavenworth- Emporia & Topeka.


This is a potentially dangerous weather situation that bears close watching if you will be outdoors later today.


Meanwhile- a strong thunderstorm continues to move along the river areas of Metro Kansas City- no severe weather has been reported but cloud to ground lightning can be expected along with heavy rain.


CSW will post the latest on this and any later developments....

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Kansas City's BREAKING NEWS: Jumper Closes I-435 At Missouri River in KC-MO

KC-MO police have closed northbound- and they just closed southbound I-435 as well at the I-435 bridge over the Missouri River after the driver a vehicle they were pursuing stopped- got out- and threatened to jump off the bridge.

Northbound is closed at Front Street and southbound is closed at M-210.

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UPDATE 0227 CDT: At 2:09 AM- KC-MO reported the jumper was in custody and officers were opening I-435 at the Missouri River bridge.

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Metro Kansas City BREAKING WEATHER: Severe T-stm Watch No. 340 Until 5 AM- KS-MO-IA

This Severe Thunderstorm Watch No. 340 includes Metro K.C. counties of Wyandotte- Leavenworth in Kansas and Missouri counties of Platte- Clay and Ray until 5 am Sunday morning.

Other Missouri cities included in the watch are St. Joseph- Chillicothe- Bethany and Kirksville.

Thunderstorms should begin to affect northwestern Leavenworth county Kansas in a little over an hour from this report.

Here's the latest NWS Doppler radar image:


CSW will be on all night long for your non-commercial- severe weather pleasure....

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K.C. MetroRegion WEATHER: Severe T-stm Watch No. 339 Until 3 AM- KS-NE

Severe Thunderstorm Watch No. 339 was issued just before 9pm this Saturday night and will be valid until 3 AM Sunday morning for Kansas City MetroRegion counties in Kansas of Brown and Jefferson.

The city of Topeka is included in the watch but not Lawrence (include yourselves 'Hawkers).

A complex of storms developed this evening in Central Kansas and is moving generally toward Metro Kansas City.

Here are the last visible satellite and latest NWS-Topeka Doppler radar images:


CSW will be open all night with a weather eye on....

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K.C. MetroRegion WEATHER UPDATE: Latest Doppler Radar Image

Strong to severe thunderstorms continue in southeastern Nebraska and extend west into south-central Nebraska and continue to develop in northeastern Kansas.

Current severe weather warnings are located in the box on the lower-right portion of the radar image.

The storms between Topeka and Manhattan will affect St. Joseph in a couple of hours if they maintain their current strength.

No severe weather WATCHES are in effect in the K.C. MetroRegion- but are in effect for southeastern Nebraska counties.

About the northern half of the MetroRegion IS in a forecasted "slight risk" of severe thunderstorms through Sunday morning.

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Kansas City MetroRegion WEATHER: "Slight Risk" Of Severe Thunderstorms Today- Tonight

The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has forecasted much of the northern half of the Kansas City MetroRegion to possibly receive severe thunderstorms (t-stms) today through early Sunday morning.

The NWS-SPC image shows the area included which also includes mostly northern portions of Metro kansas City as well.

Early this morning- strong to severe t-stms roll through south-central into southeastern Nebraska. These storms- while moving generally eastward- could foster some development on the southern flank into northeastern Kansas.

Latest radar image shows the additional development beginning.

At any rate- these existing storms should move into the extreme northwestern and northern MetroRegion counties in a few hours- and could produce at least local severe weather.

We've got an eye on the situation....

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Captain Spaulding's Plan For The Kansas City-MO School District

So the Kansas City-MO School board is planning on closing 13 schools- including the first school that I attended way back in 1957- Meservey.

(Photo Courtesy of JILL TOYOSHIBA/Kansas City Star)

I don't know WHY state officials don't do what I first suggested years ago:

Dissolve the KC-MO School District!

Divy-up the schools in the KC(MO)SD to the surrounding Missouri school districts: Center- Grandview- Hickman Mills- Raytown- Independence- North Kansas City and/or Park Hill.

Work out what schools/districts go to whom- then figure out and carve-out the supporting tax base accordingly.

Kansas City would then be rid of it's continuing educational embarrassment and MAYBE people would quit the mass exodus from the KC(MO)SD.

My plan CAN'T be any more costly or inconvenient to KC-MO residents than the on-going monitary rathole that is the KC-Mo School district.

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KC-KS Officials Delay Vote On Shrinking Casino Plans

The plans were grandiose- several companies submitted plans costing more than three-quarters of a billion dollars- to build a destination hotel and gambling casino at or near the Kansas Raceway in western Kansas City- Kansas.


As the economy faltered- so did the plans. The company approved last year asked out of their commitment- so it was back to the drawing board.


Two companies submitted new plans on Thursday- including the consortium backing-out a year earlier that includes the infamous Cordish Company.


As midnight rolled around- Wyandotte County commissioners decided to "hold-off" voting for either one until they had time to further look over the proposals.


The new casino plans have been scaled down more than 50-percent and estimated county-city revenues have been scaled back that much at least.


So for AT LEAST another year- Missouri casinos will carry-on with no loss limits- and no competition from any new Kansas casinos while Kansas politicians run around in circles with yet another legislative issue.

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Phillllll (De) Kline Needs Your Cash

According to this story from The KANSAS CITY STAR- Kansas' PITA Philllllllll Kline recently sent a letter to Kansas right-wing faithful asking for financial help in his on-going fight against American "freedom of choice."



Actually- I'd really like to donate- but I don't think the U.S. Postal Service will ship bullshit (I wonder how Kline got to Virginia?).

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"D-Day" 65th Annivesary Honors More of "The Greatest Generation"

Fifty American- fifteen Canadian and ten British veterans of World War II will be honored Saturday by the French goverment in Paris for their participation in June 6- 1944's "D-Day" during that war versus the Axis trilateral of Germany- Japan and Italy.

Yours truly stands at rigid attention- and salutes those who gave their all in the name of honor and freedom.

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Actor David Carradine Dead At 72

He was TV's martial arts master as "Kung Fu."

Mr. Carradine was found dead in a Bangkok- Thailand hotel after reportedly hanging himself- says the Associated Press.

(Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)

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Four Examples of What KC-MO Can Do With $150000

KC-MO council persons Ford and Circo are simply giddy about getting a new convention hotel for Downtown.

To that end- they and the other council people approved spending $150000 for yet another "study" of this 30-year-old-plus issue.

I submit to you the reader- just FOUR examples of what that $150000 could be better spent on. Free free to submit your dozens of examples too.

My examples are 4 of more than a half-dozen overgrown and decrepit properties just in MY neighborhood that the City seemingly ignores.

The addresses of these properties are in the image file names.

Codes people can come through this neighborhood issuing tickets for really- really LAME issues- while the very appearance and livability of the neighborhood goes downhill with a jet engine.

I would STRONGLY suggest that the KC-MO city council people get their heads out of their convention-fancy asses and ACTUALLY TOUR SOME OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS and see where that $150000 could be better spent - TO IMPROVE APPEARANCES AND LIVABILITY of Kansas City-MO's older neighborhoods.

Maybe the recent election recall didn't include ENOUGH city politicians. Seems to me we are "governed" by myopic dolts anymore..

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Metro K.C. Breaking Weather: Flash Flood Warning - JoCo- WyCoKS-JxCoMO

The warning is through 4:30 pm this Tuesday afternoon.

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"Slight Risk" of Severe T-stms Later Today

All of Metro Kansas City- and much of the MetroRegion is in a forecasted area for possible severe thunderstorms later this Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning.

Severe-criteria-size hail and wind gusts are the primary severe threat- along with deadly lightning and possible flash flooding.

The risk area includes all of the MetroRegion except the extreme northwestern and northern areas of Missouri.

Updates here later as any severe weather watch is issued in addition to the Flash Flood Watch already in effect.

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FEMA Offers $$$ To Build- Improve Local Fire Stations

If your town or city is in need of a new or improvements to an existing fire station- check out this notice- courtesy of Ms. Rittenhouse- telling how the U.S. government's Fedeal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing the money:

Fire Station Construction Grants Coming Soon

The Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants (FSC) will provide financial assistance directly to fire departments on a competitive basis to build new or modify existing fire stations in order for departments to enhance their response capability and protect the community they serve from fire and fire-related hazards. The authority for FSC is derived from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Congress appropriated a total of $210 million for this Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 program.

DHS consulted with the nine major fire service organizations to obtain insight and expertise providing funding priority recommendations. Our primary goal is to help fire departments meet their firefighting and emergency response needs. FSC seeks to support organizations lacking the tools and resources necessary to effectively protect the health and safety of the public and their emergency response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards. The program will be administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration by the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program Office.

The AFG Program Office will be utilizing the established grant process employed for all other grant opportunities with AFG. Applications will be submitted via the automated e-grant application and the program office expects the e-application will be available the week of June 8th. The submitted applications will be screened using the answers to the questions in the application to determine which applications will go to panel. Finally, a panel of peers will review each application sent to panel and provide recommendations regarding which applications will be funded.

During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays (Eastern Time). However, the help desk will close at 4:30 p.m., on Friday, July 3rd and will not be open on Saturday, July 4th. Applicants who have questions regarding the Fire Station Construction Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov.

An applicant tutorial will be made available soon on the firegrantsupport.com website. The tutorial provides you with valuable grant information and walks you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial provides an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

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Fatality Crash In KC-KS

At 07:14 AM- the Kansas Highway Patrol was reporting a crash with an ejection of at least one of the vehicle's occupants on eastbound I-70 near 110th Street in KC-KS..

At least one person is reported dead in this crash.

Eastbound I-70 is closed between K-7 and I-435 while the wreck is investigated.

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Metro-MetroRegion K.C. WEATHER: Flash Flood Watches Today

Much of the Kansas City MetroRegion- including all of Metro K.C.- is under a Flash Flood Watch from early this Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday.

Thunderstorms- many strong to severe- are expected to develop over much of the MetroRegion later this afternoon and evening.

These storms will move slowly and/or re-develop over the same areas. Rainfall rates of 1 to locally 3-inches per hour are likely with these storms.

Updates here later as needed....

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Tornadic Storms In N.W. Missouri Radar "No-Man's Land"

While there IS a Tornado Warning in our extreme northwestern MetroRegion in Andrew and Holt counties- all National Weather Service (NWS) Doppler radars are reading the edges of their velocity or wind mode scales in those areas.

The reason is that NWS Doppler can only EFFECTIVELY measure possible tornadic circulation in a given storm UP TO 75 miles away from the radar site.

The storms on-going in N.W. and northern Missouri are well outside of that range for any of the regional weather radars.

It was the same condition when deadly tornadoes hit the Kirksville-MO area about 10 days ago.

Regardless- NWS forecasters are doing the best they can with what tools they have- and just a Severe T-stm Watch continues for those areas north of Kansas City....

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K.C. MetroRegion WEATHER: Severe T-stm Watch No. 319 In Effect- KS-MO-NE-IA

The northern Kansas City MetroRegion is under Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 319 until 11 pm this Monday night.


The watch includes cities such as Seneca and Hiawatha-KS- as well as Savannah- Maryville & Bethany-MO..

Metro Kansas City- St. Joseph- Topeka and Lawrence are NOT in ST Watch No. 319.

As you can see by the latest visible satellite and Doppler weather radar images- showers and storms have developed rapidly inside the Watch area- and stretch into south-central Kansas.

Storm cell/area movement is east to northeast- so we'll be watching those areas west to southwest of Metro K.C. for any activity.

Also note the latest severe weather WARNINGS in the lower-right box on the radar image.

Any changes will be noted here at CSW....

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