Linn County residents told to take shelter as storm heads east across Missouri

A storm that prompted a tornado warning in northwest Missouri continued to move east Sunday afternoon, past Chillicothe and into Linn County, according to the National Weather Service.

Shortly before 4:20 p.m., the circulation was between Chillicothe and Spring Hill, where residents were advised to take cover.

Twenty minutes later, the service told Linn County residents to take shelter, advising that the storm was capable of producing a tornado. The warning remains in effect in Linneus, Browning, Purdin and other nearby areas until 5:15 p.m.

About 4:45 p.m., meteorologists said they received a report of a tornado northwest of Linneus. The weather service then saw “two circulations” on radar in northern Linn County and said Purdin residents should take cover.

“If you live northeast of Purdin, MO TAKE SHELTER NOW!” the ageny wrote on Twitter before 5 p.m. “We are seeing a strong circulation on radar and it has been confirmed by the fire department.”

Another tornado warning, for area such as Sedalia, Pilot Grove and Smithton, remained in effect until 5:30 p.m.

The warnings are the latest in a series of tornado warnings issued Sunday afternoon across northwest Missouri. Earlier in the day, a confirmed tornado touched down in northern Caldwell County.

Other warning earlier in the day were issued north of the Kansas City metro area, including Country Club Village and Amazonia in Missouri, and in Troy, Kansas, though those have since expired. Another one in Daviess County expired after the storm that prompted the warning “weakened below severe limits.”

A tornado watch, which means conditions are “favorable for the development of tornadoes,” will remain in effect until 10 p.m. for north central and northwest Missouri, according to the weather service.