Severe thunderstorms expected in mid-Missouri

COLUMBIA — It’s shaping up as a stormy night across Central Missouri, and the National Weather Service is advising people to be alert for severe thunderstorms.

Jon Carney of the Weather Service office in St. Louis said the threat in this part of the state will be from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. Hail, strong winds and tornadoes are possible, and residents are urged to stay alert and be prepared to take shelter.

Columbians should expect several fast-moving storms throughout the night, Carney said, with each thunderstorm lasting about 30 minutes. Intermittent rain can be expected today, but flooding is not likely, he said.

Carney said that it’s difficult to tell how strong the storms will be, but there is a potential for winds to reach speeds of 60 m.p.h. or greater that could damage power lines and trees and cause structural damage to mobile homes.