CSW Weather: Brief Relief From Heat Wave in Form of Severe Storms Possible Thursday

Cloud cover this Wednesday morning is offering SOME relief from this extended heat wave.


More than 16 KC-MO residents have already died from reported heat-related issues.

According to the "Day-2" outlook from the NWS' Storm Prediction Center- the Metro Kansas City and northern MetroRegion areas are forecast to have a "slight" risk of possibly severe thunderstorms from 7 a.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday.


A weak cool front will settle into our area later tomorrow- but will bring only some temporary relief from the 100-degree temperatures until a stronger cool front makes it's way south late in the weekend or early next week.

Today's severe storm risk will be in northern areas of the Central States- across Iowa and Nebraska- and some of these storms could drop south into our area on Thursday.

Missouri River Flood of 2011 - Upper Missouri Reservoir Readings- 5-Day Rainfall Forecast for July 27

The following are the latest reservoir readings on the upper Missouri River- taken on Wednesday morning- July 27.

NOTE: Beginning August 1- this presentation will be posted once a week until September.

The key to the project parameters listed can be found on this previous CSW post on daily USACE project readings.

There are also three-week predictions made by USACE on inflows and discharges for each dam/reservoir in the Pick-Sloan system found HERE.


Also- the National Weather Service's US 5-Day precipitation outlook and forecasted rainfall amounts.

CENTRAL STATES NEWS: Laura Milkins Walks Home

Laura's not just walking across the neighborhood- or across town.

Laura Milkins is walking from Tucson AZ to her mom's house in Grand Rapids MI.- says the ABILENE (KS) REFLECTOR.

Day 84 had Laura walking from Salina to Abilene.

Each night- she stays with a host and cooks dinner for them in return for their hospitality.


Laura began her trek May 1- and she's scheduled to reach Grand Rapids in October.

Her progress can be monitored on her Web site found HERE.

God Speed Laura!

Joplin Tornado Insurance Payout Largest in Missouri History

The Joplin Tornado of May 22 2011 could ultimately cost insurance companies as much as $2-billion.


The JOPLIN (MO) GLOBE reports that as of June 30- $505-million has already been payed-out for losses in the EF-5 twister that killed 160 people.

Look for your insurance rates to rise as a result....

Sister Wants To Find Out Who Burned Her Brother To Death

Frank D. Locklear's last ride alive was documented here at CSW- but no where else in a large metropolitan area with multiple news media organizations.


The 51-year-old man reportedly had been living in a shed behind a house in the 800 block of Miami in Kansas City KS..

Reportedly an alcoholic with no job- neighbors nonetheless liked Frank- who would do odd jobs and fix neighborhood lawnmowers that went on the fritz.


On the morning of July 2nd- someone set fire to Frank Locklear.


Initially reported here- it was first thought by emergency service workers in KC-KS that Frank was burned over "100% of his body- trying to start a fire with gasoline."

Frank Locklear was rushed to the University of Kansas Medical Center burn unit- where he later died of his injuries.


It was only later that police determined that Mr. Locklear had had an argument with 2 people that July morning- then one or both of those people poured gasoline on Frank and set him on fire.


Frank Locklear's sister- Debbie Cain of Shawnee- badly wants her brother's killer(s) brought to justice.

According to The SHAWNEE (KS) DISPATCH- Debbie Cain and her family has established a reward fund to aid in finding out who killed her brother.


The fund is up to $1500- and Ms. Cain kindly asks those who'd like to contribute to her brother's reward fund to send their checks- money orders- what have you- to the Frank Locklear fund- U.S. Bank- 9900 W. 87th St.- Overland Park KS- 66212.


CSW hopes that those who killed Frank Locklear are swiftly brought to justice.

Missouri River Flood of 2011 - Upper Missouri Reservoir Readings- 5-Day Rainfall Forecast for July 26

The following are the latest reservoir readings on the upper Missouri River- taken on Tuesday morning- July 26.


The key to the project parameters listed can be found on this previous CSW post on daily USACE project readings.

There are also three-week predictions made by USACE on inflows and discharges for each dam/reservoir in the Pick-Sloan system found HERE.


Also- the National Weather Service's US 5-Day precipitation outlook and forecasted rainfall amounts.

CSW BREAKING: Reported "Building Collapse" in East KC-MO

At 3:09 p.m.- a regular alarm response of KC-MO Fire companies are enroute to a reported "building collapse" at 10th Street and Spruce.

Initial report at 3:13 p.m. is that this is "the front of a building under renovation" that has collapsed.


There were no reports of anyone being injured.

CSW BREAKING: 2-Alarm Apartment Building Fire in Southwestern KC-MO

Five companies of the KC-MO Fire department were sent to a reported apartment building fire in the 11200 block of Oak at 2:56 p.m. Monday afternoon.

At 3 p.m.- Pumper 28 is first to arrive and they reported "smoke showing from the 2nd-story of a 3-story apartment building" and a "working fire response" was requested- bring another company and other fire apparatus to the scene.


At 3:07 p.m.- a 2nd-alarm response was sent to this scene.


A search of the structure revealed no victims and as of this report there are no injuries.

The fire was brought under control around 3:15 p.m. with "4" handlines used- 3 on the interior and one line on the roof of the 3-story building.


Fire command reports "2 units" in the building are "unlivable-" and the Red Cross has been requested for "2 adults and 3 children" who lived in one of the units.

Mission KS Apartment Fire Fatalities Identified

As reported here at CSW first in Kansas City Sunday morning- two people died in a multi-alarm fire at The Falls Apartments at 6565 Foxridge Drive.


The deceased have been identified by Johnson County's Fire District No. 2 as "23-year-old Jessica Theordoroff" and "28-year-old Bryce Rader-" both people were residents at the apartment complex.


CSW offers our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Theodoroff and Mr. Rader.

CSW BREAKING: Fatality Crash Closes Sbnd I-435 in KC-MO Northland

The crash occurred around 12:45 p.m. on southbound I-435 between Northeast 98th and Northeast 108th Street.


Reports are that "multiple" vehicles were involved.


Two serious injuries have been transported to North Kansas City and Liberty hospitals- and one fatality was reported at the scene.


Southbound I-435 is closed south of M-291/Cookingham Drive until further notice.

Missouri River Flood of 2011 - Upper Missouri Reservoir Readings- 5-Day Rainfall Forecast for July 25

The following are the latest reservoir readings on the upper Missouri River- taken on Monday morning- July 25.


The key to the project parameters listed can be found on this previous CSW post on daily USACE project readings.

There are also three-week predictions made by USACE on inflows and discharges for each dam/reservoir in the Pick-Sloan system found HERE.


Also- the National Weather Service's US 5-Day precipitation outlook and forecasted rainfall amounts.