Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued Across Missouri, Kansas and Illinois
Multiple severe thunderstorms triggered tornado, severe thunderstorm, and flash flood warnings across the central United States on Wednesday night, while France reported more than 7,300 excess deaths linked to its record-hot summer so far.
Active Severe Weather Warnings in the Central U.S.
A Tornado Warning was issued until 1115 PM CDT for parts of Butler, Carter, and Wayne counties in southeastern Missouri. [5] Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for Gove County, Kansas, with 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail, and for Sherman County, Kansas, with 60 mph gusts and half-dollar-size hail. [1] [4] A Flash Flood Warning was issued until 145 AM CDT for central Champaign County, Illinois, after 2-3 inches of rain fell with rates of 1-2 inches per hour and more rain possible. [2] These alerts covered immediate hazards including potential tornado formation, damaging winds, large hail, and ongoing flash flooding in the warned areas.
Tornado Threat in Southeastern Missouri
A Tornado Warning was issued until 1115 PM CDT for northwestern Butler County, northeastern Carter County, and southwestern Wayne County in southeastern Missouri. [5] At 1041 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Ellsinore, or 12 miles southwest of Piedmont, moving east at 30 mph. [5] The hazard included a tornado and two-inch hail, with the source identified as radar-indicated rotation. [5] The warning highlighted the storm's potential to produce these conditions across the specified counties in southeastern Missouri.
Severe Thunderstorms Moving Through Kansas
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Gove County, Kansas, noted that at 1045 PM CDT a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles northwest of Healy, moving southeast at 35 mph. [1] The hazards included 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, with radar indicated as the source. [1] Impacts expected were hail damage to vehicles along with wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees, affecting locations such as the Monument Rocks. [1] Separately, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Sherman County, Kansas, stated that at 943 PM MDT a severe thunderstorm was located near Ruleton, moving east at 35 mph. [4] Hazards there were 60 mph wind gusts and half-dollar-size hail, with public reports of dime- to nickel-size hail. [4] This storm was expected to reach Goodland around 950 PM MDT and also impact Edson along with Interstate 70 in Kansas. [4]
Flash Flooding Underway in Illinois
A Flash Flood Warning for central Champaign County in east central Illinois remained in effect until 145 AM CDT. [2] At 1043 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area, with between 2 and 3 inches of rain already fallen. [2] The expected rainfall rate was 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour, and additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches were possible. [2] Flash flooding was described as ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the area. [2]
France Tallies Over 7,300 Excess Deaths in Record Heat Waves
France has endured a record 52 days of heat waves since mid-June, resulting in 7,307 excess deaths, nearly three-quarters among people aged 75 and over. [3] The French heat waves consisted of three successive spells: 14 days in June, 16 days in July, and at least 22 days beginning in late July, exceeding previous record years. [3] Health authorities recorded 1,243 more deaths than usual between July 2 and 22, adding to 5,764 excess deaths from June 17 to 30 and 300 deaths identified during the year's first period of high temperatures in late May. [3] Nearly three-quarters of the extra deaths concerned people aged 75 and over, though they affected all age groups from 45 and over. [3] The deaths were due to all causes and cannot yet be definitively attributed to the heat, with final figures expected in the autumn. [3]
Broader European Heat Context
France has recorded more heat wave days in 2026 than in any other year since records began in 1947. [3] The number of days of heatwaves this year far exceeds the 33 heat wave days recorded in 2022 and the 22 days seen during the deadly summer of 2003. [3] The country has had only two periods of respite, lasting three and eight days respectively, since the first heat wave began on June 17. [3] Western Europe experienced its hottest start to summer on record, with recurring heatwaves in June and July. [3] The previous standout year, 2022, also saw three separate heatwaves, but their combined duration was almost 20 days shorter than this year's total. [3] Extreme heat contributed to more than 15,000 deaths in France in 2003, but the main heatwave was concentrated over about two weeks in August, following a less severe week-long episode in June. [3] The August 2003 heat wave nevertheless remains the most severe observed to date based on an indicator combining heat duration and intensity. [3] June 24 and 25 were the hottest days ever recorded on average across mainland France. [3] The heat wave that began in late July has become the second-longest recorded nationwide at 22 days and counting, just short of the 23-day heat wave recorded in July 1983. [3] More than half of the 54 heat waves France has experienced since 1947 have occurred since 2010. [3]
What to watch next: The late-July heat wave in France remains ongoing at 22 days and counting as of August 18, while the Flash Flood Warning in central Champaign County, Illinois, extends until 145 AM CDT and the Tornado Warning in southeastern Missouri until 1115 PM CDT.
