The Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma, and the National Weather Service in Wichita would like to let the public know that a significant severe weather outbreak is expected Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening across Missouri, Kansas & Oklahoma.

Thunderstorms could produce hail the size of tennis balls, damaging winds of 60 to 70 mph and even a few strong tornadoes. If a tornado develops, it could be a strong long track tornado.

At this time review what you would do if a tornado would threaten your home or place of work. Where would you seek shelter? Do you have a way to contact family in the event you would be separated? If you are at home make sure you have sturdy shoes with you when you seek shelter. Also have a whistle in your place of shelter, in the event where you take shelter could have debris on top of it.

 

A Roman Catholic priest has pleaded not guilty in western Missouri to possessing child pornography.

Forty-five-year-old Shawn Francis Ratigan, of Kansas City, appeared in Clay County Circuit Court on Monday over a video hookup. He remains held on $200,000 bond in the county jail, where he has been since his arrest Thursday.

Ratigan is charged with three counts of possessing child porn, based on photos that authorities reported finding on computers he used.

Prosecutors allege he photographed girls, sometimes under their skirts, in and around churches where he had worked in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Some of the victims could be from the St . Joseph area as the images were found on a computer used for work at a St. Joseph church.

The Kansas City Star reports that Ratigan’s lawyer, John P. O’Connor, declined to comment Monday. Ratigan’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 16.

At a news conference Monday, Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr said the death toll from Sunday’s tornado is up to 116.  The tornado devastated the city, ripped homes from their foundations and inflicted major damage to the area’s main hospital.  A FEMA official said the government is behind Joplin and will offer long term support.

Governor Jay Nixon says they’ve now rescued 17 victims who survived the twister.

City officials said the biggest help most people could give is to stay away.  Joplin Police are dealing with looters, but no major cases are reported.  Governor Jay Nixon says 110 State Troopers are in Joplin along with 265 National Guardsman.

A federal disaster declaration from FEMA has extended disaster assistance to individuals and families in Jasper and Newton counties, which bore the brunt of the devastating severe storms and tornadoes there.

Under this declaration, individuals may be eligible for federal assistance to cover uninsured losses or expenses, such as temporary housing, home repair and replacement of household items.

Local agencies are helping out in Joplin.  Six Buchanan County Sheriff’s deputies will deploy in the disaster zone to help with recovery, rescue, security or whatever else they need.

Eight volunteer disaster specialists from the Midland Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross have been deployed in leadership roles to help with housing and feeding operations.

Public Works from the City of St Joseph, and a medical team from Heartland Regional Medical Center are also pitching in.

 

Gov. Jay Nixon today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended disaster assistance to individuals and families in Jasper and Newton counties, which bore the brunt of the devastating severe storms and tornadoes there.

Under this declaration, individuals may be eligible for federal assistance to cover uninsured losses or expenses, such as temporary housing, home repair and replacement of household items.

“Missouri continues to respond with every available resource to the deadly storm that left so many residents in need of assistance,” said Gov. Nixon. “Our priorities are search and rescue operations, providing medical care to the injured, and providing a safe environment for the affected communities. This quick federal action will help provide the resources to assist Missouri families with their recovery in the tough days ahead.”

Gov. Nixon on Monday traveled to areas hit by the storm to survey damage and meet with emergency personnel.

For questions about individual assistance and to register, Missourians can contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-3362. They may apply for disaster assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

In addition to granting individual assistance, the federal government also granted a public assistance declaration for Jasper and Newton counties for costs associated with debris removal and emergency protective measures. That designation will allow local governments there to seek assistance for response and recovery expenses associated with yesterday’s severe storm and tornadoes.

St. Louis, Mo. – At the request of the State Emergency Management Agency, today the Humane Society of Missouri is sending a fifteen-member Disaster Response Team to Joplin, Mo. to rescue and shelter pets affected by last night’s devastating tornado.  The team consists of professionals trained in emergency animal rescue and shelter operations and includes a veterinarian to care for sick and injured animals.

The HSMO Field Assessment Team will canvass the area searching for and rescuing injured and displaced pets.

In conjunction with Joplin Animal Control, the HSMO Sheltering Team will assist in the operation of an animal shelter on the campus of Missouri Southern State University (MSSU).   Persons being housed at the shelter at MSSU will be able to place their pets at this animal shelter.

The HSMO Sheltering Team also will set up and operate a separate emergency shelter with the capacity to care for several hundred pets of persons who are not being sheltered at MSSU.

Persons displaced by the tornado who need shelter for their pets should contact the Jasper County Emergency Management Agency at their emergency location in the Recreation Center on the campus of Missouri Southern State University.

Donations –At this time, monetary donations are encouraged. Persons wishing to make donations to assist animal rescue efforts can do so at www.hsmo.org.

Background –The Humane Society of Missouri has been named by the State Emergency Management Agency as the lead animal welfare agency in response to disasters and other emergencies in Missouri.In April and May, the HSMO Disaster Response Team spent two weeks in the flooded areas of Southeast Missouri rescuing and sheltering more than 200 animals.

Utility workers join local law enforcement and social service agencies, as well as state agencies, in lending a hand in Joplin, Missouri, in the aftermath of a tornado that killed at least 116 people Sunday night.

Tuesday morning approximately 60 Kansas City Power and Light crew members planned to drive to Joplin to assist Empire District Electric with restoration efforts following this weekend’s devastating tornado.  Vice President Bill Herdegen says the damage to infrastructure is severe, and his crews will work to help restore power to thousands of customers.  Herdegen says they will help rebuild electrical circuits, repair damaged poles and downed lines and help restore the more than 19,000 customers without power. The KCP&L team consists of approximately 45 linemen and several support personnel, including safety employees, supervisors and mechanics. The crews, comprised of personnel throughout the KCP&L service territory, are prepared to stay in Joplin for up to two weeks assisting with restoration efforts.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office will send six deputies to Joplin along with a couple of pieces of emergency equipment.  Sheriff Mike Strong says the deputies will head to Joplin within by about Wednesday afternoon.  Law enforcement efforts in the disaster zone are being coordinated by the Missouri Sheriff’s Association.

The Midland Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross is sending eight disaster volunteers and the emergency response vehicle to Joplin. Emergency Services Director Karla Long tells us some of them will lead sheltering operations, and one will take a leadership role in feeding operations.  Long says her counterpart asked for help in the form of people to take over those leadership roles.  Long says she’s received a lot of calls from people willing to volunteer in Joplin.  The trouble is, those people have not received the training required to send them into a disaster area.  Long says if you’d like to volunteer for the next disaster, you should call her at (816) 232-8439

Second Harvest Community Food Bank will provide food and hygiene items for anyone who is displaced. Storm victims are asked to provide identification of their address.  Victims can go to any of the more than 100 agencies affiliated with Second Harvest. They are also sending donations to Joplin.  Authorities in the disaster zone say they need Diapers, Canned food with pop tabs, personal hygiene items, crackers and snacks for children. You can also donate online at http://ourcommunityfoodbank.org.

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is rounding up donations to take to Joplin.  Sheriff Steve Cox says his department will accept any donations from citizens or local business who wish to contribute.  Cox says they are accepting canned goods, blankets, bottled water, hygiene products and any other items you wish to send.  When they receive a pickup truck load of donations, an employee will transport the items to the affected area.

Attorney General Chris Koster is warning individuals and businesses against price-gouging following the devastating tornado in Joplin.
“Missouri law is clear – price gouging is illegal and the Attorney General’s Office will investigate and prosecute instances of price-gouging to the full extent of the law,” Koster said.  “The unimaginable disaster in Joplin will take everyone working together to recover.  There is no room for anyone to try to take advantage of tornado victims in need.”  Koster’s office is sending investigators to the area to monitor for price-gouging and to examine any allegations on-site.  The Attorney General urged any person who believes a business has suddenly and artificially raised the prices on necessities including gas, food, diapers, clean-up equipment, etc., should contact his office at 1-800-392-8222, or online at ago.mo.gov to file the complaint.   Koster said those who violate price-gouging laws can face penalties of up to $1,000 per violation.

The Missouri Department of Social Services is assisting families impacted by recent storms in applying for, or replacing food stamps for food purchased that has been lost or damaged.  Staff from the Missouri Department of Social Services is ready to assist families at local shelters and local social services offices.  The Joplin Children’s Division and Family Support Division office at 601 Commercial is open with staff on hand. Social services staff is also at the Forrest Park Baptist Church shelter and the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the Red Cross shelter at Missouri Southern State College’s Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.  Families can also visit or call social services offices in Neosho, Lawrence, and Barton counties.

JEFFERSON CITY – The State Emergency Management Agency continues to work with Missouri state and local agencies to deploy all available response resources to Joplin following the deadly tornado that ripped through the city Sunday evening, May 22.

The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the Red Cross has established a shelter at Missouri Southern State College, 3950 East Newman Road, Joplin, Mo 64801. The shelter facility is the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center.  The facility can also accommodate pets.

Missourians interested in volunteering to assist should call (800) 427-4626 or 2-1-1.

Those with medical skills interested in volunteering should go to: https://www.showmeresponse.org/.

Missourians wishing to make donations to help with the relief effort can go to http://www.sema.dps.mo.gov/recover/donations.asp or call (800) 427-4626 or 2-1-1.

You can donate directly to the Red Cross at www.redcross.org, or to the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmy.us.  Officials say monetary donations are best, because emergency crews in the affected area know best what is needed.

Residents affected by the tornado who wish to notify their friends and family that they are safe should go to: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php.  Friends and family who would like to check on their loved ones in the affected area can use the same site.

Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call2-1-1.  The United Way’s 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri.   In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626.

Sunday evening, Gov. Jay Nixon activated the Missouri National Guard to respond to the area. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has also sent additional troopers to the Joplin area, including two from Troop H.

The State Emergency Management Agency is helping to coordinate the deployment of search and rescue teams, a disaster medical assistance team, communications vehicles, mobile command vehicles, heavy equipment and an incident support team.

The incident support team will provide support to the emergency operation center.   Missouri Task Force 1, a division of the Boone County Fire Protection District that specializes in search and rescue operation in building collapses, is one of the resources responding to Joplin.  The task force uses state of the art search equipment, including visual and acoustical devices, medical equipment and K-9 search teams.

A tornado flattened the southeast Missouri town of Joplin Sunday evening, killing at least 90  people, destroying one hospital and severely damaging another, damaging two fire stations, and flattening roughly two-thirds of the city.

Governor Jay Nixon was expected to tour the affected area Wednesday afternoon.

Rescue efforts were complicated by another severe thunderstorm packing high winds and large hail that rolled through the city at about 8:30 a.m. Monday.  By mid-day Monday people remained trapped beneath the rubble as search and rescue efforts continued.  Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency allowing him to activate the National Guard.

The number of injuries is not known, because the St John Regional Medical Center in Joplin took a direct hit, and 183 patients were evacuated.   Those patients were taken to other hospitals.

The Springfield News-Leader reports the hospital was fully evacuated because officials cannot be sure of the safety of the building.

Telephone communications and electrical power were cut off for most of the city.  A fire broke out in the damaged hospital after it took a direct hit.

The governor’s office reports two-thousand homes were destroyed or simply blown away, leaving behind debris, crushed automobiles, and the occasional tree with the bark sheared off the trunk.

Gov. Jay Nixon has activated the Missouri National Guard and activated the State Emergency Operations Center.   At least a full company from the Guard has been dispatched to Joplin.  State and local law enforcement agencies, including fire mutual-aid, were coordinating search and rescue and recovery operations.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol deployed 70 troopers from other regions to help out.  Two troopers from Troop H in northwest Missouri were expected to leave for Joplin Monday morning.  Missouri’s Disaster Medical Assistance Team is also on its way.

Extensive photography is available from the Joplin Globe newspaper here.

 

 

WATCH LIVE:

Andrew County Emergency Management Director Roger Latham sent us these photographs of storm damage in the Fillmore area from Saturday, May 21, 2011

 

Murder charges have been filed against a 20-year-old St Joseph man in connection with the fatal shooting of his cousin Saturday night. Commander Jim Connors of the St Joseph Police Department identifies the victim as 24-year-old Derrick A Mauzey.

Connors says the pair were staying at the same apartment at 701 North Ninth Street.  Investigators believe the pair got into an argument over money and the suspect shot Mauzey.

The suspect, Kyle N. Funk remains in custody under $100 thousand bond in the Buchanan County Jail.  Funk is already facing misdemeanor assault charges from an incident in late December of last year.  He was free on bond in that case at the time of the homicide.