Tornado Strikes Mapleton Iowa

The information received here at CSW is that a tornado has caused considerable damage in the west-central Iowa city of Mapleton- population about 1400 people.

The tornado- described as "large" by at least one storm spotter struck during the 7 p.m. hour.


Reports as of around 9 p.m. were that "95% of the west side" and "50-60%" of Mapleton had been damaged or destroyed and all power was out in the town.


A Tornado Watch was in effect as well as a Tornado Warning.

The SIOUX CITY JOURNAL reports there have been "multiple injuries-" but no reports of fatalities.

There were also reports of possibly persons trapped in debris and snowplows were requested in the city to clear streets of debris.


Iowa Governor Branstad has approved an emergency declaration for Monona county.

Between 8:45 and 9:15 p.m.- tornadoes also reportedly struck the Iowa communities of Early and Nemaha- with heavy damage reported in both areas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCpQuYypxgc&feature=player_detailpage

There have been no reports yet of any injuries in those twisters.

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CSW Weather: Severe Weather Could Miss Metro KC Altogether

Saturday morning- it appears that chances for severe weather late tonight or Sunday may be on the wane for Metro Kansas City.


Storms that fire-up later today to our west appear that they'll race to the north-northeast- toward areas around or north of St. Joseph.

As the fronts approach K.C. on Sunday- a punch of dry air may cause the storms to form over- or just east of Metro K.C..


I'll keep you informed on any changes- but right now it appears that chances for severe storms in Metro Kansas City are decreasing- and not too many folks should be unhappy about that fact.

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CSW Weather: Severe Storm Watch Continues Until 4 a.m.

As noted here at CSW a couple of days ago- this weekend's wild weather continues to shape up...


A Severe Thunderstorm watch continues for Metro Kansas City and north through eastern parts of the MetroRegion until 4 a.m..

A Tornado watch continues for the Kansas portions of the southwest MetroRegion until midnight.



Several rounds of storms have moved through- and at least one more round will move through Metro Kansas City after midnight.


Don't expect anything more than large hail here locally.

Storms are possible off and on through Sunday- when it culminates into a rather ominous severe weather day in the Central States.

Keep watching!

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CSW BREAKING: Teen Male Shot in KC-KS

KC-KS Fire department EMS reports a "14-year-old male" gunshot victim is in serious condition after a shooting at 10th Street and McAlpine.

The incident was reported to emergency services around 12:56 p.m. Thursday afternoon- and police reported a "male suspect" with no other descriptive information "left westbound on McAlpine on a bicycle."


The victim was reportedly "shot in the back- and has no feeling in his feet" a paramedic told the hospital where the victim was being taken.

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CSW BREAKING: Another Significant Earthquake in Northeastern Japan

No immediate reports of additional damage or any tsunami as a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck at 8:32 a.m. Thursday Kansas City time- according to the USGS.

The epicenter of this quake is reported to be about 60 miles east of Sendai- which was badly damaged by March 11th's 9.0-magnitude quake.

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CSW BREAKING: House Fire With Multiple Injuries in Independence

Six companies of the Independence MO Fire department are dealing with a house fire with at least 4 occupants injured in the east-central part of that Jackson county suburb.

The alarm sounded just after 8:15 a.m. for a residence in the 20000 block of East 13th Street where there was a reported explosion and fire- visible to responding fire companies for more than 1/2-mile away.

There has been four injuries reported by AMR-EMS at this scene- and 4 of their ambulances were sent.

Thus far- the 4 injuries are reported to range from minor to moderate.

The first patient transported to a hospital at 8:41 a.m. is "a 69-year-old female" suffering from non life-threatening smoke inhalation.

The only other transport to a hospital was "a 57-year-old male" who reportedly went back inside the burning house "three times."

His injuries were also minor.

Two other people- reported as "female neighbors" who attempted to reach the occupant inside the residence on-fire- were treated by AMR at the scene but both refused ambulance transport to a medical facility.


The fire was reported "out" at 9 a.m.- and police and fire investigators were requested at the scene.

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CSW Weather: Strong- Severe Storm Chances Over Next Few Days- Are YOU Ready?

Spring has rolled out her warm and lush carpet for good now- and with the sweet smell of the exploding greenery around us comes the Battle of the Air Masses.


Starting today and for the next 3-4 days- things are looking interesting in the Weather Department.

The cool front that moved through yesterday afternoon will head back north today as a warm front- and this will develop showers and thunderstorms in and around Metro K.C. this afternoon.


A few of those storms could become strong and produce some moderate-sized hail- but the threat of any damaging winds are low and the tornado threat even lower.

This will change by late Saturday into Sunday- when a stronger storm system moves into the Central States.

A more distinct severe weather threat is indicated- with a stronger indication of all modes of severe weather- including tornadoes.


This is as good a time as any to go over your severe weather plan both at your home and when you're away.

Where would you go if hurricane-force winds or- God forbid- a tornado was bearing down on you?

How would you protect your property (vehicle- etc.) from large hail?

What would you do if a very severe storm has knocked out power or other services for an extended period?

In cases of large-scale disasters- do NOT plan on government services coming minutes later to your rescue- have some sort of plan on how you and yours will cope- on your own- NOW- not when these things are upon you!


This public service brought to you by a guy who was the ONLY help to arrive for some time at natural disaster scenes....

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CSW BREAKING: Child Struck By Car in Liberty MO

At 3:55 p.m.- Liberty emergency services responded to a reported "child struck by a car at Lightbourne and Mill Street" near the downtown area of the Clay county seat.

The child was taken to Liberty Hospital- condition unknown.


The car was reportedly registered to an Excelsior Springs woman and it's not yet known if police issued any ticket to the driver.

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Mental Actor's "Tour" Proves P.T. Barnam Correct

The "mental actor" is Charlie Sheen and what he has proven is what Barnam allegedly said "there's a sucker born every minute."


Here's a snippet regarding Sheen's present tour from The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER:

"Tickets for the 6,000-seat Radio City (show) ranged in price from $79.50 to $519. For $750, ardent fans can meet the actor...."


"The one man show has sold out twice at NYC's Radio City...."

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A LOL Moment: What If Americans Go On Strike When Federal Government Shuts Down?

I know- wouldn't happen- that's why I titled the thought "A LOL Moment."

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A Stalwart Collapses With Tuesday's Election

No- it wasn't KC-MO's Earnings Tax or a number of like- well-financed incumbents- it was me:

I didn't vote.

I can't say if it's been the tsunami of personal issues that's come up over the past month or even the fact that I've felt like Death Warmed Over the past week or so- but I had absolutely no interest in going to the polls yesterday.

I won't discount the fact that I think that American politics is hopelessly corrupted- much like what was once known as "The American Dream."

I'm thinking more and more that I will just stick to telling people about pending bad weather- at least bad weather goes away and the sun DOES shine afterwards.

If reading this bums you out somewhat- I apologize.

It's probably just my shaky health- future- circumstances and being in an ungrateful news business.


The sun is out today and I plan to go soak it up- find yourself a happy place too.

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CSW WEATHER: Severe Storm Watch No. 83 Until Midnight- K.C.- St. Joe- Topeka Included

Here are the graphics and information on this severe thunderstorm watch- which includes virtually all of Metro and MetroRegion Kansas City.

The Pleasanton KS area is NOT included in ST-Watch-83.

A large severe storm is going west-northwest of Topeka- and this storm will move rapidly toward the St. Joseph area.

Additional severe storm development is expected.

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New April 3rd Record-High Temperature for Kansas City

The 2 p.m. temperature of 86°F at Kansas City International airport has shattered the old record high temperature of 82°F- set just 6 years ago in 2005.

In addition- the first 90°F temperatures have been recorded here at CSW in south KC-MO- as well as Lawrence KS- Warsaw and Maryville MO..


A moderate risk of severe thunderstorms continues on track for much of MetroRegion Kansas City later this afternoon and evening.

As of this post- there is no precipitation indicated on weather radars within 100 miles of Downtown KC-MO and no severe weather watches have been issued.

This WILL change in about the next 2-3 hours....

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CSW Weather: "Moderate" Chance of Severe Storms Later Today

What the NWS' Storm Prediction Center (SPC) calls a "moderate risk" of severe thunderstorms and all their attendant types of severe weather- including tornadoes- is forecast for an area that includes Metro Kansas City- Topeka and St. Joseph.

A "slight risk" covers virtually the rest of MetroRegion Kansas City as well of much of Missouri and parts of Iowa- Kansas- Oklahoma and Arkansas.

The greatest threat in the moderate risk area later this Sunday afternoon and evening will be hail larger than 1" in diameter and storm winds in excess of 60 m.p.h. with a forecasted line of severe thunderstorms.

The tornado threat will be greatest with any individual severe storm or supercell that develops prior to line formation- and the most favorable area seems to be northeast of Metro K.C..



Please check you favorite weather source for any possible watches and warnings issued for your area.

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