Category: kmiz-local-news

John Ross

Strong storms moved through the area on Thursday evening, producing scattered high winds, hail, and a few brief rotations. Flooding remains a concern south of I-70 as storms have continued this morning. Some storms are strong-to-severe this morning.

A Flash Flood Warning is in place for Phelps and Maries counties through 9 a.m., where over 5 inches of rain may have fallen in some locations.

An ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Day has also been issued for Friday afternoon and evening for the threat of damaging winds and flooding.

SETUP

A wave moved over the area late Thursday, producing scattered strong storms along and south of I-70. Leftover boundaries from this activity will keep rain going into Friday, when another disturbance is set to move overhead during the day. Friday’s setup will be very similar to the day before, with scattered storms developing in the heat of the day south of I-70, carrying a risk of damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding.

FUTURETRACK

Storms will continue near I-44 through Friday morning, then a brief break is possible for everyone in the late morning and early afternoon. Storms will ignite midday after 3 p.m. and continue into Friday night, where all severe hazards are possible. Heavy rain persists in southern Missouri into Saturday morning, before showers finally exit this weekend.

IMPACTS

Impacts may include hail and wind damage; storms capable of 60 mph winds will be the greatest concern. Flash flooding is also likely, with localized 3 to 4 inch totals around Miller, Maries, Pulaski, and Phelps counties.

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Melissa Houston

ROCKY MOUNT, Mo. (KMIZ)

A severe morning storm caused tree damage and a widespread power outage across Morgan County on July 10, and residents spent much of the day preparing for possible storms later at night.

In an email to ABC 17 News, Co-Mo Electric Cooperative representative Patrick Wood said at one point nearly 3,000 customers had lost power, mostly in Morgan County. As of 7:30 p.m. Friday, more than 1,800 co-op members still had no electricity.

Wood wrote that the chance for more storms later in the evening prompted crews to try and restore as much power as possible before a second storm hits.

“With the number of active outages and the damage they are seeing, there will likely still be restoration work underway when additional storms move into the area this afternoon,” Wood wrote.

Wood wrote it is likely a second storm would create more power outages for the community.

Starting at 8 a.m., the morning storm generated 23 service calls in the area, according to Rocky Mount Fire Protection District Chief Jonathan Trail.

Trail said the calls were for tree debris in the road and falling on power lines, though no major injuries were reported.

“We were fortunate we didn’t have any injuries to any civilians or personnel, but we did have a fair amount of storm damage,” Trail said. “A lot of tree damage and some residences were also damaged with them.”

Trail said crews cleared all of the blockages in preparation for possible severe weather coming later in the evening. He said the department has experienced a couple of severe storms since July 4, and they know how to prepare for this upcoming one.

“Through the 4th to now, we’ve gotten quite a bit of wind and rain, so we’re obviously going to be ready for it,” Trail said.

The department has responded to 56 storm-related calls since July 4, which exceeds its average of 40 emergency calls per month, according to Trail.

With the high temperatures and ongoing outages, Trail said Station One will be open during business hours for residents needing a space with power.

“It’s pretty warm out,” Trail said. “If people need to come up during business hours just to get in the cool area, they’re more than welcome to come up here to Station One, and we’ll accommodate them.”

In preparation for the second storm tonight, Trail said they are advising residents to be cautious when on the roads. Specifically, if there are flooded roadways, he recommends that motorists turn their vehicles around and not attempt to go through the flood.

“It’s not worth having to have us come out to rescue you, or worse, find yourself in a situation where we can’t get there to help you,” Trail said.

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Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Fire Protection District helped get a horse that was down and unable to rise stabilized and loaded for transport to medical care.

Firefighters responded to a property on Bowling Lane east of Rangeline Road and New Haven Road, where they found the horse on the ground. Working with a veterinarian, the firefighters were able to stabilize the horse and load it onto a trailer. They then took the horse to the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center for treatment.

No details were provided on what had happened to the horse prior to its rescue.

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Steven Lambson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A strong storm knocked out power to thousands of customers across mid-Missouri as it rolled through Friday evening.

As of 7:30 a.m. Saturday, the Columbia Water and Light outage map reported 26 customers without power; down from 124 reported at 10:45 p.m. on Friday.

Columbia Water and Light officials had told ABC 17 News that they expected to have power restored to all customers by midnight Friday.

Boone Electric Cooperative reported 50 customers with no power around Harrisburg at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. That had dropped from 903 seen on the outage map around 10:45 p.m. Friday.

Ameren Missouri reported more than 3,446 customers without power in Missouri, including Audrain and Montgomery Counties.

Photo of storm damage in Montgomery City. Photo: Jarvis Jones

The storms also caused tree and power line damage in several areas.

Photo of Highway NN near Harrisburg closed due to downed power lines

At 6:41 p.m. Boone County Joint Communications reported a closure of Highway NN just north of Highway 124 near Harrisburg due to power poles down in the road.

ABC 17 News sent a crew to the location, and they were able to speak with Boone County Fire Assistant Chief Norman Hinkle, who said that he did not have any information on when a crew would arrive to begin the repair process.

In Montgomery City, the storm system broke branches and knocked at least one tree down in the area of Harper Street and Seventh Street.

So far, no reports of injuries have been provided.

Boone County Office of Emergency Management is asking county residents to report storm damage resulting from this afternoon’s severe weather. Damage reports are essential for helping the Boone County Emergency Operations Center assess storm impacts.

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

JEFFESRON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Police Department required the help of a Missouri State Highway Patrol diving team on Friday after it encountered a “suspicious object” in Binder Lake.

Officers were called at 9:42 a.m. Friday to the 300 block of Binder Lake Road for a report of a “suspicious incident,” according to a press release from JCPD.

An ABC 17 News reporter saw 11 police vehicles, two trucks and a dive boat team. A tow truck was pulling a vehicle out of the water.

JCPD Curtis Finke told ABC 17 News at the scene that divers confirmed at 3:30 p.m. that there was a car in the water. Police believe the vehicle had been in the water “for quite some time.” Finke said it’s currently being labeled as a “suspicious incident” and there is no active criminal investigation.

Finke said right now, there’s no urgency or danger to the community. Law enforcement will look into the records of the car.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Fulton Police Chief Bill Ladwig is retiring.

The City of Fulton made the announcement in a Friday press release. Ladwig will end his 26-year career on Aug. 3.

The city has completed “an internal interview process” for its next police chief, though the appointment will be announced at a later date, the release says.

Ladwig joined the Fulton Police Department in 2000 and served as chief of police for the past five years, the release says.

“Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to public safety, professional leadership, and community engagement, helping guide the department through periods of growth and change while maintaining its mission of serving the community with integrity and professionalism,” the city wrote.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency for the state on Friday because of recent storms and flooding.

Kehoe announced on his social media that he signed Executive Order 26-16. Severe weather went through Mid-Missouri on Thursday and continued into Friday morning, with more storms expected to enter the area in the evening, according to the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team.

“Over the past 24 hours, intense storms have created dangerous flash flooding across several regions of Missouri, resulting in multiple swift-water rescues,” Kehoe wrote online. “With additional heavy rain expected through the weekend, the threat is not over. If you’re camping, floating, or spending time near rivers and streams, move to higher ground and stay aware of weather conditions.”

Thousands of people near the Lake of the Ozarks were without power early Friday and it continued into the afternoon. Missouri Task Force 1 was activated and sent to Sikestone to assist with the flood response.

The executive order activates the state’s emergency operations plan. It is set to expire Aug. 10.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Representatives of the State of Missouri filed an appeal on Friday to the state’s high court over a recent ruling involving abortion rights

Jackson County Judge Jerri Zhang last month in their 20-page ruling struck down a number of restrictions that were in place that were determined to be in violation of 2024’s Amendment 3, a voter-approved measure that enshrined abortion rights within the Missouri Constitution.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and Republican Gov. Mike Kehoea opposed the ruling, while groups like the ACLU and “No on 3, Stop the Ban” were in support of it.

Among those restrictions struck down included the restrictions on medical abortions and specific licensing requirements at facilities that provide abortions.

Medical provider Planned Parenthood began taking medical abortion appointments at the end of last month.

State lawmakers are asking voters again to give their insight on abortion rights this fall with the new Amendment 3. Its passage would increase restrictions.

Friday’s notice of appeal to the Supreme Court questions “the validity of a statute or provision of the Constitution of Missouri.”

Check back for updates.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A swatting call led to a large police response Friday morning in Rolla, the Rolla Police Department wrote on its social media.

Police wrote that it responded to “to a report of a domestic disturbance involving a firearm” on Vichy Road. Officers quickly learned the home was vacant and “no disturbance had occurred.”

“Our investigation has determined that this call was the result of a swatting incident,” police wrote. “Swatting is the intentional act of making a false emergency report to law enforcement in an effort to prompt a large police response to a specific location. These incidents unnecessarily place first responders and the public at risk while diverting emergency resources from legitimate calls for service.”

Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia announced in a Friday press release that it is expanding its parking enforcement devices.

The city will start using “wheel immobilization devices,” beginning on Monday. This is in additional to the parking barnacles the city started using last year.

The release says it will be used for people with four or more outstanding parking tickets and will not be used for first-time offenders.  The release says vehicles fitting that criteria will first get a green warning notice.

“Wheel immobilization devices function similarly to the Barnacle by preventing a vehicle from being driven until outstanding citations have been addressed,” the release says. “Once the required fines are paid or other arrangements are made through the Municipal Court process, Parking Enforcement staff remove the device, allowing the driver to immediately continue on their way.”

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