(updated & corrected: tornado added; corrected to Buffalo, MO)
The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Springfield, MO now confirms that four tornadoes touched down within our County Warning Area during the severe weather event of Tuesday, February 28th through Wednesday, March 1st.
The first tornado touched down at approximately 10:37 p.m. on Tuesday evening in Crawford County, Kansas about one mile southeast of Hepler. The National Weather Service storm survey says that this EF-1 tornado destroyed one outbuilding and damaged several items of farm equipment.
The second tornado, also in Crawford County, KS, hit about six minutes later. This EF-0 tornado touched down just north-northeast of Farlington on the west side of Farlington Lake along West Lake Road. Two carports were destroyed, and there was damage to two homes. A tree was also downed.
The third tornado, a weak EF-0, touched down just north of Buffalo, Missouri along Rocket Road at around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Officials with the National Weather Service say the tornado started just west of highway 65 along Highway C and ended near the intersection of Rocket Road and Highway 73. Surveys report several trees were blown down along with numerous large tree branches. Several outbuildings and barns were damaged with one barn being completely destroyed. A truck was severely damaged from debris, and one home had severe roof damage. The path was approximately one mile long and 100 yards wide with winds estimated at up to 80 m.p.h.
The fourth tornado, an EF-1, briefly touched down in Laclede County, Missouri about four miles west of Lebanon along Foxtail Road at around 12:51 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped. Minor roof damage also occurred to a framed home and nearby mobile homes.
These tornado confirmations follow numerous reports of straight-line wind damage throughout our CWA. Additionally, many locations reported hail ranging from pea-sized up to 1.75 inches in diameter.
This is the first severe weather outbreak we’ve seen in quite a while throughout the Springfield, Missouri County Warning Area. Fortunately, there are no reports of fatalities or major injuries. Click here for more details including an interactive map from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Springfield.