Severe thunderstorm warning issued for entire Kansas City area as storms roll across metro

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the entire Kansas City area as storms rolled across the metro bringing strong winds, heavy rains and lightning, according to the National Weather Service.

At about 3:40 p.m., severe thunderstorms stretched along a line from Lansing to Overland Park to six miles southeast of Edgerton. They were moving east at 45 mph.

Along with frequent lightning, the storms were producing strong winds and large hail. Gusts of 70 mph were possible along with quarter-size hail.

“Hail damage to vehicles is expected,” the weather service warned. “Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.”

The cities that are expected to be impacted by the storms included Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Shawnee, Blue Springs, Lenexa, Leavenworth, Leawood, Raytown, Liberty, Gladstone, Grandview, Belton, Prairie Village, Raymore, Gardner, Grain Valley and Lansing.

The warning was in effect until 4:30 p.m.

As that warning was set to expire, the weather service issued a new warning for the eastern part of the Kansas City metro.

The warning was for parts of Cass, Clay, Ray, Lafayette, Jackson and Johnson counties in Missouri.

At 4:21 p.m., severe thunderstorms stretched along a line extending from Missouri City to near Lake Lotawana to near Freeman. Wind gusts of 70 mph were expected. Pea-sized hail also was possible.

The cities in the path of the storms included eastern Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Liberty, Raymore, Warrensburg, Grain Valley, Harrisonville, Pleasant Hill, Oak Grove, Odessa, Greenwood, Higginsville, Lexington, Peculiar, Sugar Creek, Buckner, Holden and Lake Lotawana.

The warning, which is in effect until 5 p.m., included parts of Interstates 70 and 470.