Tornadoes & Severe Storms
South-central Missouri sees frequent severe thunderstorms in spring and summer — with large hail, damaging straight-line winds, and tornadoes.
Watch vs. Warning
A Watch means conditions are favorable — stay alert and review your plan. A Warning means a tornado is happening or imminent — take shelter now.
Where to shelter
- Go to the lowest floor, an interior room (closet, hallway, bathroom), away from windows. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.
- If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, leave early for a sturdy building — they offer little protection.
- If caught outdoors or driving, you cannot outrun a tornado in traffic; get to a sturdy building. As a last resort, lie flat in a low spot away from vehicles and trees.
- Protect your head and neck.
How you'll get warned
Wireless Emergency Alerts reach your phone automatically, and a NOAA Weather Radio will sound even overnight when the power is out. Don't rely on outdoor sirens indoors.
Our history
The deadliest tornado in U.S. history — the 1925 Tri-State Tornado — began in or right beside Shannon County, between Eminence and Ellington. More recently, an EF2 struck near Birch Tree in 2024 and an EF3 was surveyed near Low Wassie in 2025. Strong tornadoes are uncommon here, but they do happen.