Severe storms ravage all four states K-O-A-M

JOPLIN METRO (KOAM) - When the FCC assigned our television a frequency in 1953 whomever it was decided on the perfect all letters to cover our corner of the world:

• K... Kansas
• O... Oklahoma
• A... Arkansas
• M... Missouri

Friday evening proved to be one of those storm systems that hit all four states. Beginning in the early evening as storms came out of south central Kansas. NWS Wichita caught a storm forming late afternoon that moved into our area eventually. But not before it dumped tennis ball sized hail in the Crowley County, Kan. area.

Hi-speed time lapse of explosive development of severe storm Friday evening that produced tennis ball size hail. Taken from Wichita, KS looking SSE. — NWS Wichita, Kan.

KOAM Meteorologist Doug Heady warned everyone that these storms were packing a punch with 75-80 mph winds, and some bringing hail. Miami, Okla. with high winds and rain. The same in Baxter Springs, Kan. and to the south of there Quapaw, Okla. trees and power lines down.

They began coming into our area in SE Kansas taking a lot of trees down in southern Cherokee County and Ottawa County.

Power outages had begun by 8 p.m. and as the evening progressed some were staggering into Benton County, Ark.

• POWER OUTAGES
• Liberty KS-OK-MO 5,400+ no power
• McDonald County, Mo. 3,100+ no power
• New-Mac Electric 4,500+ no power (peak)
• Benton County, Ark. 31,000+ no power (peak)

Roadways were closing due to downed power lines and firefighters in all storm-hit areas were busy removing debris from roofs, cars and streets.

There have been no reports of injuries in any area that we are aware. There was a motorcycle crash victim that came into the Joplin hospitals, unsure if it was related to weather. The male will recover.

Stories of the storms high winds and are still coming in. You can email us your photos and videos at sbecker@koamnewsnow.com or send on FB messenger from the Joplin News First account.

This is a breaking news story. Watch for updates here on KOAM News Now and social media Joplin News First as daylight arrives.

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