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Historic Hailstorm Causes $314.9 Million in Damages in Greene County, Missouri

Historic Hailstorm Causes $314.9 Million in Damages in Greene County, Missouri

On April 28, 2026, Greene County, Missouri, experienced a historic hailstorm with hailstones measuring between 2.75 inches and 4.75 inches in diameter, equivalent to the size of grapefruits. The storm caused extensive damage to vehicles, homes, businesses, vegetation, and utility infrastructure. As of August 7, 2026, the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reported $314.9 million in property damages, making it the second-most expensive hailstorm in Missouri's history. Additionally, $2.9 million in crop damages were recorded. The storm also caused significant damage to the Springfield-Branson National Airport and the Dickerson Park Zoo, where an emu tragically died. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with insurance claims still being processed.
Springfield News-Leader Springfield News-Leader
From the Darkroom shows learning at Sunrise Farm School

From the Darkroom shows learning at Sunrise Farm School

Donna Rickabaugh moved to the Ozarks in the 1970s to start a spiritual life and a unique school on her family farm.
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Severe storms and flash flood threats target Midwest and Plains

Severe storms and flash flood threats target Midwest and Plains

A multiday severe weather event is unfolding across the Midwest and Plains, bringing threats of damaging winds, hail, isolated tornadoes, and flash flooding. The event begins late Monday afternoon in eastern North Dakota, west-central Minnesota, and the Black Hills, with hail as the primary concern. As the evening progresses, storms will intensify and move southeast into Nebraska and southeast South Dakota, where a Level 2 out of 5 severe storm threat has been issued. By Tuesday, a developing low-pressure system over western Kansas and southwest Nebraska will drag a front southward, creating conditions for supercells capable of producing large hail and isolated tornadoes. Heavy rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches per hour are expected, particularly in Iowa, eastern Nebraska, northern Missouri, and northwest Illinois, where a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat is in place.
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Joplin, MO: Advanced Doppler Radar Enhances Tornado Detection

Joplin, MO: Advanced Doppler Radar Enhances Tornado Detection

The Joplin, Missouri area, located in the heart of Tornado Alley, relies on a state-of-the-art Doppler radar system as part of the National Weather Service's NextGeneration Weather Radar (NEXRAD) network. This radar provides high-resolution velocity and reflectivity data, enabling meteorologists to detect storm rotation, downbursts, and precipitation structures with precision. The radar, located near Carthage, Missouri, offers comprehensive coverage for southwestern Missouri, southeastern Kansas, and northeastern Oklahoma. Upgraded with dual-polarization technology in the 2010s, the system can distinguish between various precipitation types and detect tornado debris signatures. This technology has been instrumental in improving tornado forecasting and public safety, particularly in a region that has experienced devastating tornadoes, such as the EF5 tornado on May 22, 2011, which claimed 158 lives. [Source time: 2026-08-17T00:00:00]
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Severe Weather Targets Midwest and Plains This Week

Severe Weather Targets Midwest and Plains This Week

Another round of severe storms will hit the Midwest and Plains from Monday through Thursday, bringing damaging winds, large hail, torrential rain and isolated tornadoes. Storms begin Monday across eastern North Dakota, west-central Minnesota and the Black Hills before spreading into Nebraska and South Dakota. On Tuesday, severe weather will target Nebraska and Iowa, with damaging winds reaching northeast Kansas and northern Missouri. Heavy rain could trigger flash flooding across Iowa, eastern Nebraska, northern Missouri and northwest Illinois, while storms shift toward the Ohio Valley Wednesday and Thursday.
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Lightning Strike Causes Small House Fire in Maryland Heights During Storms

Lightning Strike Causes Small House Fire in Maryland Heights During Storms

A lightning strike ignited a small house fire on Quality Lane in Maryland Heights, Missouri, during thunderstorms last night. Fire protection district officials reported that crews were dispatched to the residence at 9:26 p.m. as the initial round of storms moved through the area. Firefighters quickly extinguished the small fire inside the home and subsequently ventilated the structure before clearing the scene. A photograph from the location reportedly shows a tree in the front yard with a visible scar, indicating the point of impact from the lightning strike.
1Weather 1Weather
Severe Storms and Flooding Threaten Corn Belt Amid Heatwave

Severe Storms and Flooding Threaten Corn Belt Amid Heatwave

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Slight Risk advisory for excessive rainfall across the north-central U.S., including Iowa, eastern Nebraska, northeast Kansas, northern Missouri, and northwest Illinois, as a cold front moves through the region. Heavy rain and flash flooding are expected Tuesday into Wednesday, with the heaviest rainfall today concentrated in the upper Ohio Valley and central Appalachians. Meanwhile, dangerous heat continues to grip the Southern Plains, Southeast, and Southwest, with heat indices ranging from 105–115°F (40–46°C). Hurricane Lala is also bringing flooding rains to Hawaii. Cooler air from Canada is expected to follow the cold front later this week. (Source: Ag Bull Trading, published 2026-08-17 14:10:51 GMT)
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Missouri Governor Kehoe Announces Budget Director Dan Haug's Retirement, Appoints Successor

Missouri Governor Kehoe Announces Budget Director Dan Haug's Retirement, Appoints Successor

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced that Budget Director Dan Haug will retire on October 1, 2026, after 11 years in the role and 31 years of service to the state government. Haug began his career in 1995 as an economist for the Office of Administration's Division of Budget and Planning, later serving as director of the Senate Appropriations staff and director of administration for the Department of Mental Health before being appointed budget director in 2015. He is noted as the longest-serving budget director, having worked under four governors. Governor Kehoe praised Haug's integrity and understanding of the state budget. Upon Haug's retirement, Trevor Foley, the current Director of the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC), will assume the role of budget director. Foley has over two decades of experience in state budget analysis and management across both executive and legislative branches, starting his state career in 2000 as a budget analyst for the Department of Corrections.
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Severe Flooding Impacts Eastern Corn Belt Amid Heavy Rains

Severe Flooding Impacts Eastern Corn Belt Amid Heavy Rains

The eastern Corn Belt has experienced significant flooding following a week of record rainfall, according to a report by World Weather Inc. (ProFarmer, 2026-08-17). Over the weekend, central Illinois and west-central Indiana received 3 to more than 5 inches of rain, with Doppler radar indicating localized totals of 5 to 7 inches. Lighter rainfall of 1 to 2 inches, with isolated totals exceeding 3 inches, was reported from southern Iowa and northern Missouri to Ohio and West Virginia. Cumulative rainfall over the past seven days reached 5 to more than 10 inches in many areas, exacerbating flooding concerns. The heavy rains have raised alarms about potential damage to soybean crops, particularly due to mold, mildew, and crop yellowing in the most severely affected areas.
1Weather 1Weather
Joplin, MO Tornado: Remembering the EF5 Devastation of 2011

Joplin, MO Tornado: Remembering the EF5 Devastation of 2011

On May 22, 2011, Joplin, Missouri, experienced one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history. The EF5 tornado, with wind speeds reaching up to 200 mph (322 km/h), tore through the city, leaving a 6.2-mile (10 km) path of destruction up to 0.8 miles (1.3 km) wide. The storm claimed 158 lives, injured over 1,000 people, and caused an estimated $2.8 billion in damages. The tornado struck at 5:34 PM CDT and lasted approximately six minutes, devastating homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The National Weather Service attributed the tornado's formation to a combination of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and a cold front, creating a highly unstable atmosphere. The event remains a stark reminder of the destructive power of severe weather and the resilience of affected communities.
SB Nation SB Nation
Chiefs Preseason Week 1 snap count analysis: Jaden Hicks gets extended time

Chiefs Preseason Week 1 snap count analysis: Jaden Hicks gets extended time

Here’s the important notes from Kansas City’s snap-count breakdown in the opening exhibition.
Springfield News-Leader Springfield News-Leader
Springfield voters should think hard before changing charter | Opinion

Springfield voters should think hard before changing charter | Opinion

This writer urges Springfield voters to scrutinize Question 3 on the November ballot, which would shift control of city purchasing rules.